April 25, 2014 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

LSONews.com LoneOStar Outdoor News April 25, 2014 Page 1

Snapper season cut short

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North Texas coon hunting club seeing an infl ux of competitive hunters.

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Onto somethingFISHING

Carbon-fi ber stocks changing the face of rifl e construction.

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Game changer

CONTENTSClassifi eds . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Crossword . . . . . . . . . Page 21Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10For the Table. . . . . . . . Page 21Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . Page 18Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 26Prime Time . . . . . . . . Page 24Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 22Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 16Sun, Moon and Tide data . . Page 21

LSONews.com

Black drum are seeing some recovery after a tough year in 2013.

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Baffi n back on its feet

Giant salvinia clearing up around Caddo Lake thanks to high-water levels and a colder winter, fi shing on the uptick.

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Open water

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April 25, 2014 Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas Volume 10, Issue 17

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Fed waters cut to 11 days, could be

even less

Texas is about to have the shortest-ever red snapper season in federal waters — 11 days.

And that might be cut again after Louisiana opened their state red snapper season from three days each week to all seven days in response to a recent deci-sion by a federal judge to retro-actively hold the recreational red snapper anglers accountable for exceeding their allotted 49 percent quota in years past.

Texas allows red snapper fi sh-ing in state waters all year long, something that has infuriated the members of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, which sets federal quotas. The feds sued the state unsuccessfully last year to attempt to make Texas conform to federal standards in their state waters.

Texas state waters extend three marine leagues, or 10.357 miles off the coast.

Commercial red snapper anglers who say recreational anglers have been going over their 49 percent allocation for years brought the latest lawsuit against the feds to force them to change their management sys-tem to more accurately account for the total recreational sector catch. After a different formula was used to assess how many pounds of snapper recreational anglers catch, a judge agreed with the commercial sector that the old formula amounted to a de facto reallocation of snapper.

“Basically, the National Marine Fisheries Service came back to the council and told them that last summer’s sea-

By Conor HarrisonLone Star outdoor newS

See SNAPPER, Page 27

Austin angler Brian Booker knows he could look back at this spring on Lake Austin and think, those were the good old days.

Booker, the co-owner of Texas Tournament Zone, which hosts night tournaments on the lake, has seen an explosion in big bass being caught this month.

“Austin is insane,” he said. “We’ve been trying to keep it quiet, but that horse left the barn a while ago. It has always been a great lake, but it is really good right now.”

Booker said the April 16 night tournament saw 50 boats compete, with 31 pounds winning and 22 pounds only getting sixth place.

“Almost everyone who came in had a 5- or 7-pounder,” he said. “The big bass was 9.44 pounds. They are in all stages of the spawn,

but the majority have already spawned. We are still seeing some big females cruising around beds, so I think the moon phase will kick off another round.”

Booker said anglers have been using all sorts of tactics to pull in big fi sh, including slinging Senkos under docks, using Texas rigs and jigs to fi sh rock piles and bluffs and fi shing around lighted docks at night.

On fi reLake Austin giving up huge sacks, but how long will it last?

See LAKE AUSTIN, Page 11

K9 unit on the hunt

Freestone County Game Warden John Thorne has had a new partner since July, but not the kind you can have a two-way conversation with and a cup of coffee.

“Justin,” named after Game Warden Justin Hurst who was killed in the line of duty in 2007, is a yellow lab and part of

the fi rst fi ve dogs in the newly formed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department K9 Unit.

Thorne and Justin spent eight weeks of intense training in Utah before they returned to Texas to work to fi nd illegal wildlife, drugs and lost humans. Search and res-cue will be the main focus of the dogs, although many are cross-trained to fi nd fi sh and game vio-lations, as well. All of the dogs in


See K9 UNIT, Page 17

Salt on the table

After a slow few weeks, off-shore guides and services are seeing an uptick in deep-water species as well as some sharks along the Texas coast.

“The fi shing is defi nitely pick-ing up and the sharks are start-ing to show up,” said Crystal Oestreich, with Dolphin Dock Charters in Port Aransas. “Nothing wanted to bite in January and February, it was ter-rible.”

Guides echoed that senti-ment across the Gulf Coast in the deeper waters of Galveston. Jillian Williams, with Williams

By Steve SchwartzLone Star outdoor newS

See OFFSHORE, Page 15DROPPING DOWN: Offshore anglers are reporting lots of red snapper action off the coast while bottom fi shing, along with amberjack and several species of shark. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte for Lone Star Outdoor News.

HAPPY FOR THE RIDE: One of the new members of the TPWD K9 Unit, Ruger, helps Game Warden Christy Vales look for potential violations. Photo by TPWD.

NO GRASS, NO PROBLEM: Lake Austin guide Ryan Wags holds a nice bass caught recently in the crowded lake that has anglers fl ocking to it from across the country. Photo by Ryan Wags.

Page 2 April 25, 2014 LoneOStar Outdoor News LSONews.com



HUNTINGYacht, auto tech comes to rifl es

When a Texas ranch has a bumper fawn crop, managers and hunters might expect to see a bumper yearling buck crop the next season.

Not so fast, researchers say.In the Comanche-Faith Research

Project, where white-tailed deer in 200-acre enclosures in South Texas were studied over a nine-year time span, one of the issues that arose was the winter survival rate of buck fawns.

“We noticed a wide variation in the percentage of yearling bucks,” said Dr. David Hewitt, the Stuart W. Stedman chair for White-tailed Deer Research at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, who presented the research in a Texas Wildlife Association webinar on April 17. “The results weren’t related to rainfall, but some ranches showed a big drop in the percentage of yearlings, while the proportion of buck fawns didn’t change that much.”

The fi nding prompted another three-year study where buck fawns were caught in October and equipped with radio ear tags to monitor their winter survival.

The results in 2008 showed only a 50 percent winter survival rate. In 2009 it was 60 percent and in 2010, 56 percent

of the buck fawns survived.Hewitt said it is diffi cult to say why

the survival is lower than might be expected.

“It’s hard because you aren’t seeing the dead animals,” he said. “Predators take care of them. We did learn that does younger than 3 years old are poor moth-ers and have lower fawn survival rates.”

Wildlife managers and hunters need to consider the fi ndings in establishing their management strategies, though.

“If you are losing 40 percent of the buck fawns over the winter, it infl uences the number of mature bucks that are on the ranch,” Hewitt said.

Supplemental feed can as much as double the fawn survival according to the Comanche-Faith research — if the fawns can get to the feed.

“Fawns often don’t show up at feed sites,” Hewitt said. “Hunters notice a lack of fawns on trail camera images at feed sites. And fawns lose interac-tions with all other deer at a feed site. Sometimes they can’t reach the feed, or hog-proof fencing denies them access to the feed.”

Wildlife managers should take notice of the research results, Hewitt said.

“Don’t assume a high fawn count one year will result in equally high yearling count the next,” he said. “The fawn you count in October may not be alive in the

By Craig NyhusLone Star outdoor newS

Consider entire fi rst year with buck fawns

Lex Webernick of Rifl es, Inc. in Pleasanton has been making lightweight custom sporting rifl es known for their superior accuracy for years. Even so, learning about the technology that makes yachts and cars lighter, and therefore faster, prompted him to embrace the cutting-edge technology in his rifl e stocks.

“This technology has just become available,” Webernick said, “mainly because of the aerospace industry. The composites are the hottest thing going, they are used in making high-pressure pipe fl anges, space shuttle stuff and aircraft interiors.”

Now the technology has made its way to rifl e stocks, and while other custom gun and stock makers are jumping in, Webernick is at the front of the pack.

“We are in full production,” he said.While the materials are more complicated, the

manufacturing process has become simpler.“Things have changed completely,” Webernick

said. “We used to use the ‘bucket and brush’ method where you mixed the epoxy resins in a bucket, lay the cloth in a mold, saturate with epoxy and brush.”

New materials have simplifi ed the process for the gun maker, even though he’s had to learn to make rifl e stocks all over again.

“Now, the cloth comes pre-saturated with resin already in it,” Webernick said. “It does have a shelf life so you have to keep it in a cooler and cook it to cure it. But you get a stronger, lighter part since it assures the correct ratio of resin to cloth and Kevlar.”

The cloth is more than just carbon fi ber, though. “Carbon fi ber is the king in the composites indus-

try,” Webernick said. “But it has some issues with impact, like if you drop your gun on a rock. We use a blend of the cloths, carbon fi ber, Kevlar and fi ber-glass. Kevlar is the king with impact issues — there are positives and negatives with all of the materials.”

Carbon fi ber has been around since the 1990s, but getting it has been the problem.

“It is popular in the racing business,” Webernick said. “With cars and yachts, an ounce or two can make a huge difference, and they have unlimited bud-gets. Yacht racing people would buy all of the mate-

By Craig NyhusLone Star outdoor newS

Carbon fi ber makes stocks free of imperfections

HIGH-TECH STOCKS: Lex Webernick of Rifl es, Inc. in Pleasanton shows two of the rifl e stocks made using a combination of cutting-edge materials, including carbon fi ber and Kevlar. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

HOPE HE MAKES IT: Fawns have about a 60 percent chance of surviving the winter and showing up on trail cameras as yearlings in the spring, according to South Texas research. Photo by James Richards.

See CARBON FIBER, Page 7

Remington recalls Model 700 and Model Seven rifl es

Remington Arms Company, LLC is voluntarily recalling Remington Model 700 and Model Seven rifl es with X-Mark Pro triggers, manufac-tured from May 1, 2006 to April 9, 2014.

Remington has determined that some Model 700 and Model Seven rifl es with XMP triggers could, under certain circumstances, unin-tentionally discharge. A Remington investigation has determined that some XMP triggers might have excess bonding agent used in the assembly process. While Remington expressed confi dence in the design of the XMP trig-ger, it is undertaking this recall in the interest of consumer safety to remove any potential excess bond-ing agent applied in the assembly process.

Only Model 700 and Model Seven rifl es with XMP triggers are being recalled. To determine if your rifl e is subject to this recall, you should take the following steps:

Find the rifl e’s serial num-ber where the barrel meets the receiver — For a right-handed rifl e, the serial number is located on a user’s left. For a left-handed rifl e, the serial number is located on a user’s right.

Identify the serial number and provide it to Remington’s recall support team, either by entering it at xmprecall.remington.com or calling (800) 243-9700 (Prompt #3 then Prompt #1) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. You will be informed if your rifl e is affected by this recall and supported with free resources to return the rifl e for inspection and specialized cleaning.

You may also determine if your rifl e is subject to the recall by a visual inspection. If the face of the trigger is ribbed, your rifl e does not have an XMP trigger and is not subject to this recall.

If the face of the trigger is smooth, your rifl e has an XMP trig-ger and is subject to this recall — in which case you should imme-diately seek further assistance.

— Remington


Coon hunters flock to competitionCHKC seeing influx of hunters across the nation

ON THE SCENT TRAIL: Members of the Coon Hunting Kennel Club have been seeing an increase in numbers nationally after the club was purchased by Mark and Chase McCaskill in December, 2013. The Pilot Point chapter hosted a competition April 19. Photo by Steve Schwartz, Lone Star Outdoor News.


It may not have the draw of many other forms of hunting, but for those involved, competi-tive coon hunting has a diehard following — and it shows no sign of slowing down.

Around 15 hunters gathered in Pilot Point April 19 for their 12 Dog Shootout Competition. The event drew serious hunters from across the state and Oklahoma — all are members of the Coon Hunters Kennel Club, a national organization that boasts nearly 3,000 members participating in 700 hunts annually.

“I don’t think there was any way we thought it would go this well,” President Redgy Ramsey said. He runs the main office in Whitesboro and owns Valley Creek Hunting Supply. “It’s an unusual sport; we are a rare breed. With something like this, you either love it or you don’t; you’re either bit by it or you’re not.”

Co-owners Chase and Mark McCaskill, from Elmore City, Okla., bought the CHKC from its previous owners in December. When they took the reins of the club, it had around 700 mem-bers. Now they are seeing expo-nential growth with clubs across the United States.

“I’ve been doing this my whole life; I know everybody around it so that helps,” Ramsey said. “I’m looking for it to be huge.”

Competitions are monitored by the organization, and stand-ings are consistently updated on their website. The word “hunt-ing” may be misleading, as Pilot Point Chapter President Nick Cain pointed out. No guns are involved in the hunts, which are centered on a points system.

“We are not trying to kill or capture the animals, which is unusual,” Cain said. “It’s like playing chess at night with dogs. It’s a lot of strategy at this point and that’s what I love about it. Your dog communicates with you; you have to know how to talk to your dog.”

Four groups, called casts, of three hunters trudged into the woods on a moonless night north of Tioga. The three men waited as their hounds sprinted through the woods calling their progress. One of the competitors acts as a judge — he listens as the men call out strikes (a dog on a scent) and trees. The competi-tors receive points for correct calls and deductions for incor-rect calls. Once the dogs have a coon “treed,” the cast rushes to verify.

“It’s a physically demand-ing sport; you go a lot of places where a lot of hunters won’t — or don’t — go,” Cain said.

For such a small community, the hunt included some of the top talent in the sport. Chase McCaskill recently finished sec-ond at the national competi-

See COON HUNTING, Page 15


STILL IN GROUPS: Hunters in the South Zone reported bunched-up toms throughout the season, a possible holdover from the roving bands of jakes that were abundant last season. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

From bunched-up groups of gobblers to toms that won’t talk back and won’t commit to a decoy setup, Texas spring turkey hunters have found just about every reason out there to feel defeated this spring.

Of course, some hunters are finding success, but many hunt-ers are trying to figure out this weird turkey season.

“I’ve been out the last five days and about 50 percent of the hens have been bred,” said Jason McAnnally, vice president of the Panhandle National Wild Turkey Federation. “The cold slowed them down a little bit.”

The Canadian, Texas hunter said the toms have just begun to break up from their groups.

“We have been seeing groups of four, six, eight toms in a group at once,” he said. “The first two or three weeks were pretty good and then the cold hit and it locked them up. The grasshop-pers are starting to come out so some of the birds are just now leaving the river bottoms and

heading up into the sandhills.”McAnnally said he has seen a

lot of mature birds this season and not many jakes or 2-year-olds.

“We finally got some decent rain yesterday and we needed it,” he added. “Hopefully, this gives those hens some nest-ing cover and a chance at some poults this year.”

Farther south, Larry Noble of College Station said he has been hunting in several spots around the state this season, with mixed success.

“The turkeys are not coop-erating very well,” he said. “I

guess it depends on where you are hunting, but I hunted near Rochelle this spring and it was plenty green and the birds were out. I haven’t seen it like that in about 10 years. Near Sonora, the turkeys are pretty henned up and not much was coming in.

“I have a feeling the best cou-ple of weeks are still ahead.”

Noble said everyone he has spoken with has been seeing similar — bunches of toms that aren’t responding well to call-ing.

“They’ve been bunched up around Uvalde,” he said. “They’ve taken some birds, but

I think they were young birds.”Reports coming into the Lone

Star Outdoor News’ office indi-cate a spring gobbler season that is about a month behind schedule, with hunters finding large groups of toms that don’t want to split from the hens.

One report in the San Antonio area from a frustrated hunter said the birds he has seen this year have no discernable pat-tern and have not responded to calls.

The season concludes on April 27 in the South Zone and wraps up May 11 in the North Zone.

— Staff report

Tough seasonTurkeys behind schedule this year, hunting slow in many areas

Mule Deer Foundation builds guzzler in Big Bend

Volunteers from the Mule Deer Foundation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Sul Ross University, the Texas Bighorn Society and the Dallas Safari Club worked together to build a 4,600-gal-lon wildlife water guzzler in the Big Bend region of Texas in March.

Situated on the El Carmen Land & Conservation Company’s Adams Ranch in southern Brewster County, the water collection structure will allow rainwater and supple-mental water to be available for local wildlife year-round.

“This monumental guz-zler will capture over 1,000 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall — an essen-tial resource for productive wildlife populations in this extremely arid region,” said David Wetzel, MDF project coordinator.

The guzzler will help sup-port broad-based conservation efforts underway on the ranch that focus on species ranging from mule deer and bighorn sheep to elf owls and Rio Grande silvery minnows. The project also feeds into larger, cross-border conservation efforts within the El Carmen Project. Benefits from this guzzler and related conserva-tion efforts can be expected to extend onto adjacent ranches as well as the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area and Big Bend National Park.

— MDF


DSC picks up tabDallas Safari Club is renewing life insurance policies

for every game warden in Texas in 2014.Currently there are 532 game wardens. DSC has

purchased the insurance policies and covered 100 per-cent of the premiums since 2005. Each policy is worth $10,000. Over the years, these policies have paid tens of thousands to the families of Texas game wardens who died in the line of duty.

“These policies are an expression of support for those who serve on the front lines of conservation in our home state,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “We hope they provide some peace of mind for offi cers and their families, and we pray the coverage is never needed again.”

“We could not be more grateful for the concern and support that our partners at DSC have extended to our game wardens and their families,” said Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. “DSC members have always recognized the inherent dangers our offi cers face each and every day working to protect our lands, waters, fi sh, wildlife, property and lives.”

— DSC

Lone Star Land Stewards awards announced

Recipients of the 2014 Lone Star Steward awards will be recognized on May 21 at the Hyatt Regency in Austin. The winners represent private ranches in various ecologi-cal regions, achievements of a landowner cooperative, and an educator. The Leopold Conservation Award for Texas, given to the statewide land steward, also will be presented by the Sand County Foundation.

Stewardship highlights for each of the recipients:Cross Timbers and Prairies — Dixon Water Foundation,

Bear Creek Ranch, Parker CountyProgressive, innovative grazing management and live-

stock production are skillfully employed on Bear Creek Ranch to create and maintain an ecologically stable, diverse, and functional landscape and to generate income. Bear Creek Ranch is divided into 32 grazing units to allow for abbreviated grazing periods and long recovery periods. Each unit is grazed for only fi ve to 15 days each year and is rested from grazing for the remain-der.

South Texas Plains — Laborcitas Creek Ranch, Brooks County

Land management goals include use of wildlife man-agement techniques required for each species to improve and sustain a healthy wildlife habitat and populations. To create waterfowl habitat, the ranch has developed

15 wetland ponds and converted bermudagrass pas-tures into wetlands. Pastures where native bunchgrasses have grown too dense for quail are treated with the “Quailerator,” a modifi ed pasture aerator designed to simulate grazing and the hoof action of cattle. Prescribed burning and brush control help enhance wildlife habitat.

Trans Pecos — Tanksley Land Company, Brewster CountyA family ranch since the 1920’s, the Tanksley Land

Company strives to bring fl owing water back to Musquiz Creek, restore historical springs on the ranch, sustain healthy wildlife and grow grass while holding water. When the Tanksleys took over the ranch in 1989 it was domi-nated by creosote and tarbush. Under their management, the ranch has slowly recovered back to grassland with a good mix of native forbs and grasses. Pronghorn, scaled quail, and mule deer have benefi tted from the return of diverse grasslands.

Landowner Cooperative — Hillingdon, Laurels and Leslie Ranches, Kendall County

These landowners practice both excellent land stew-ardship and “stewardship outside the gates” through extensive outreach and volunteer service, including help-ing fellow landowners manage land to sustainably and profi tably produce food and fi ber, to spread the message in their community and in the capital that private lands are critical for wildlife and to our state’s water infra-structure and to help urban residents understand the importance of rare plant conservation, wildlife habitat and the dangers of nonnative plants and animals.

Edwards Plateau — Sycamore Canyon Ranch, Val Verde County

As a third-generation cattle woman, Ruth Russell understands the needs of the range as well as those of livestock. Located 60 miles north of Del Rio on the Devils River, her ranch supports the diverse vegetation and wild-life of three distinct biotic regions. Range management strategies include deferred grazing, aggressive whitetail and aoudad population control, prescribed burning, and riparian area protection and management provide habitat that supports a diversity of native wildlife.

Education and Outreach — Sky Lewey, Nueces River Authority, Uvalde County

Lewey is the Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Nueces River Authority, and is a key fi gure in the efforts to restore healthy riparian function to the Nueces River Basin. She established the Remarkable Riparian Workshops and the Pull Kill Plant Campaign target-ing giant river cane removal in the Nueces River basin. Her river and water stewardship education program has reached more than 72,000 young people in 13 counties within the Nueces River Basin.

— TPWD

rial from a cloth manufacturer so their competitors couldn’t get ahold of it.”

The cloth has fi nally trickled down to the rifl e maker.“It’s not all cost feasible, though,” Webernick said. “Some of

the materials cost $250 per yard. Others work for us, but might not for a racecar.”

The new stocks are just a few ounces lighter than his current lightweight versions, but the big benefi ts are in other areas, Webernick said.

“It’s not so much about the weight,” he said. “You need to make different weights in the stock to keep everything balanced, depending on the type of gun. It needs to balance on the front receiver ring — you can’t put a 9-ounce stock on a big gun.”

The trueness of the stock is what shooters will appreciate.“It’s a better, cleaner, truer part without any imperfections,”

Webernick said. “It is superior in strength and weight, but not so much that the shooter would notice.”

While the material is pricey, the manufacturing process makes up for some of the additional cost.

“The cost has gone up because of the high-tech materials, but it takes less time to make and fi nish,” he said. “We could quadru-ple our production in the same amount of time.”

And Webernick is working on a new rifl e stock that should intrigue his favorite customers, along with allowing him to demonstrate the technique to trade show attendees.

“It will be clear,” he said. “They’ll be able to see the carbon fi ber, Kevlar and graphite layers through the epoxy.”

Carbon fiberContinued from Page 4

SIMPLER AND STRONGER: Pre-saturated cloth with carbon fi ber, Kevlar and other materials take away the guesswork when inserting materials into the rifl e stock molds, assuring the stock is produced without imperfections. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.


FISHING

Black drum seem recovered from 2013

It depends on where you look...White bass runs winding down, speeding up across North Texas

Early last year, anglers in Baffi n Bay noticed something wrong with the black drum they were catching.

The drum appeared to be malnourished and emaci-ated. When anglers cut them open to get the tasty fi llets, instead of the fi rm white meat usually found in the one of the tastiest fi sh in the bays, they found gelatinous meat that was mushy and unfi t for consumption.

After several months, the issue seemed to disappear, but it left biologists scratching their heads about the cause, and wondering if it will come back this year.

A new study by the Harte Research Institute aims to fi nd out.

“Baffi n Bay is interesting,” said Dr. Matt Ajemian, assis-tant research scientist at HRI. “The salinity is so high; way higher than the estuaries. What is it about the ecology of the system? It is a stressed system right now — the brown tide and plankton blooms work their way up the food chain.”

Ajemian said the main food of black drum in Baffi n is the dwarf surf clam, which has been depleted the last few years.

“We think the black drum don’t have enough food,” he said, “but why aren’t they leaving? We have a hypothesis that they don’t travel very far. Next week, we will be tag-ging black drum with acoustic tags to begin to track their movement. There are people doing core samples right now to look at the food resource and how long the drum are staying.

“The hyper-salinity is also interesting. How do the drum live in this stressful environment?”

Ajemian said the black drum this year appear normal and healthy, something Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist Faye Grubbs agrees with.

“The latest reports show the last summer event seems to have run its course,” Grubb said. “It appeared as if the drum were starving. We knew their main food source was dwarf surf clams, but we didn’t know how many dwarf surf clams were there. The most recent studies we had were between 2001 and 2004.

“Everything indicated the drum were starving; there was no indication of disease or parasites.”

Grubbs said record high salinity and drought condi-tions near Baffi n probably contributed to the lack of food, although past studies have indicated black drum will move if things get too bad.

“Typically, studies have shown black drum don’t move much — fi ve miles or less,” she said. “However, we have seen studies that show they will migrate when tempera-tures and salinity get too high.”

The good news for anglers is TPWD recorded their high-est-ever catch rates last year for black drum in Baffi n, which Grubbs attributes to phenomenal recruitment in 2007-08.

“There were lots of young fi sh entering the population that year,” she said. “That might have been why we’ve seen an improvement.”

Back to normal in Baffi n?By Conor HarrisonLone Star outdoor newS

STRANGE SPRING: The white bass run is all over the place in North Texas, with each river or lake reporting different phases of the spawn depending on water temperatures. Photo by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News.

White bass spawning runs are slowing down in many areas of the state, but some anglers across North Texas are just now seeing them peak, or even still waiting on the run to commence as cool temperatures have delayed the movement.

Cooler spring temperatures have made the runs more spo-radic, according to Lake Tawakoni guide Larry Thomas.

“With this cold/hot/cold/hot it has got them more spread out,” he said April 18.

Thomas and his crews have been primarily fishing for catfish on shad, but have been picking up some white bass along shal-lower banks and in the creeks.

Farther to the northwest,

Denton County Game Warden Daron Blackerby said things are starting to slow down for them after a strange spring.

“As far as the sand bass go, things are starting to slow down,” he said. “They’re still fishing for them, but they aren’t catching as many.”

He said written citations for violations see an uptick during the white bass runs. This year, he has written numerous citations for people illegally fishing with casting nets, gill nets and sein-ing, many as late as early April.

Dry, cooler temperatures affected when and where people fished, Blackerby said. On area lakes during windy days, the baitfish are pushed against the points, which is where anglers have been seeing some luck.

The Trinity River, north of


See WHITE BASS, Page 27

DIDN’T NEED A NET FOR THOSE: Black drum in Baffi n Bay appear to be over the issues that plagued them in past years, although biologists are continuing to monitor the situation. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Wright, Sims win TXTT on Texoma

Eric Wright, of Balch Springs, and Jeremy Sims, of Sulphur Springs, brought 27.96 pounds of bass to the scales to win the 2014 Texas Team Trail presented by Cabela’s event at Lake Texoma on April 12.

With warm, windy weather in the area, Wright and Sims targeted the Alberta Creek area where the pair spent their day sight-fi shing, landing an impressive 9.17-pound kicker fi sh.

“We didn’t have to run too far, just from Granpappy (Point Marina) across to Alberta Creek,” said Wright. “The conditions were good for what we planned to do. We found fi sh and worked them with crawfi sh-shaped soft plas-tics.”

Second-place fi nishers Spike Stoker, of Stephenville, and Randy Sullivan, of Breckenridge, weighed a fi ve-fi sh limit of 23.25 pounds.

Stoker and Sullivan also used the warming temperatures to their advantage, targeting bass as they moved shallow around docks as the day progressed.

“The wind and the heat really played into our plans,” Stoker said. “In some places, we found them on beds and caught them on soft craws and jigs. We also caught them around docks on umbrella rigs.”

— TXTT

Mashl takes KATS on Sam Rayburn

Mike Mashl was in the spotlight after taking fi rst place in the Kayak Angler’s Tournament Series on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in the Pro Division with 89.5 inches (and hav-ing lost two big fi sh during the day).

Mashl also broke the Big Bass tie (23.75 inches) with a second big fi sh of 20.25 inches.

In second, Brandon Campbell, who tied for Big Bass with a 23.75-inch fi sh, lugged in an 85.5-inch stringer. His big bass broke the second place tie with Daniel Peters, who took third with his 85.5-inch sack.

— KATS


Anglers are fishing parts of Caddo Lake they haven’t seen in years this spring.

The giant salvinia issue that has plagued the lake for the better part of a decade has dissipated, with colder weather this winter, rising lake levels and the introduction of weevils contributing to its demise.

“The salvinia appears to be 80 to 85 per-cent gone,” said Caddo fishing guide Randy Deaver. “There is a little bit of it here or there, but we are fishing stuff we haven’t been

Open waterGiant salvinia knocked back on Caddo, fishing on upswing


See SALVINIA, Page 25

CLOGGED NO MORE: Unlike this picture, taken last year on Caddo Lake, a cold winter and rising water levels have pushed much of the invasive giant salvinia out of Caddo. Photo by TPWD.


SEE MOREn Saltwater fi shing reports: Page 16

SEE MORE

Crappie on fi reCEDAR CREEK RESERVOIR — The crappie fi shing is on fi re, according to guide Jason

Barber of Kings Creek Adventures.“There are fi sh everywhere,” he said. “Main lake rocks are holding lots of fi sh, as well as

brushpiles, bridges and the backs of the spawning coves. Try fi shing as shallow as 1 foot if the water is dirty and fi sh all the way out to 16 feet searching for fi sh. There are fi sh that have already spawned, fi sh spawning and fi sh waiting to spawn, so you may fi nd them anywhere.

“Go with minnows and jigs, they will both work in most cases.”Barber said hybrids and sandies are chasing the spawning shad schools

on the windy points early and hanging out in deeper water up in the day. Try fresh shad and lures like swimbaits, top-waters and lipless crankbaits in 2 to 6 feet of water.

The largemouth bass and catfi sh bite are also good.To contact guide Jason Barber, call (903) 887-7896.

Coming back?O.H. IVIE RESERVOIR — It has been a while since good, positive reports emerged from O.H

Ivie Reservoir near San Angelo, but some fi sh are being caught this month, according to mul-

tiple Internet reports.The largemouth and smallmouth bass fi shing has picked up, with anglers catching fi sh on

jerkbaits and hollow-body swimbaits in pearl color. Even though the lake is still low, bass fi shing is picking up, along with

limits of white bass on small spinners.

Punch bait for cats LAKE TAWAKONI — The channel catfi sh bite is picking up

on Lake Tawakoni, with anglers reporting plenty of eating-sized catfi sh being caught from the bank and in shallow water on Danny King’s punch bait, along with some home-made baits.

Along with catfi sh, largemouth bass are biting on green pumpkin creature baits and bladed jigs.

The crappie bite has also picked up on chartreuse jigs.— Conor Harrison

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 52–61 degrees; 14.75’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, jigs and lipless crank-baits. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers.

AMISTAD: Water fairly clear; 66–70 degrees; 36.63’ low. Large-mouth bass are very good on char-treuse soft plastics, spinner baits, swimbaits, and jigs. Striped bass are good on slabs, crankbaits and jigging spoons. White bass are good on slabs, crankbaits and jig-ging spoons. Crappie are good on live minnows and pink tube jigs.

ATHENS: Water clear; 57–62 de-grees; 0.13’ high. Largemouth bass are slow on white swim jigs along the shoreline as well as weightless Senkos.

BASTROP: Water clear; 65–69 de-grees. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse/white soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and green tube jigs.

BELTON: Water clear; 63–67 de-grees; 9.72’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plas-tics, crankbaits and spinner baits. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are good on light blue jigs. Crappie are good on minnows in 20–30 feet.

BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 58–63 degrees; 1.86’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged lizards in green pumpkin or black and blue near shallow cover. Crap-pie are fair on jigs. White bass are good on slabs.

BONHAM: Water stained, 59–63 degrees; 2.05’ low. Largemouth bass are good on bladed jigs, crankbaits and spinner baits on boat docks and rocky points. Crap-pie are good on minnows and jigs along the bridges and boat docks.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics and crankbaits along shorelines and structure. Striped bass are good on chicken livers and silver spoons. Redfi sh are good on live perch and tilapia.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear, 56–61 degrees; 21.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on bahama milk color crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are good on

slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Channel catfi sh are good on trotlines.

BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 64–68 degrees; 10.88’ low. Large-mouth bass to 7 pounds are ex-cellent on craw- and shad-colored crankbaits, chartreuse/white chat-terbaits, and shad-colored spinner baits in 4–10 feet. White bass are excellent on minnows and jigs off lighted docks at night in 1–8 feet.

BUCHANAN: Water stained; 63–67 degrees; 31.21’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkin craws, and black/blue Whacky Sticks on jigheads along ledges.

CADDO: Water stained; 58– 62 degrees; 1.11’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits and weightless Senkos.

CALAVERAS: Water clear. Large-mouth bass are good on green pumpkin soft plastic worms and grubs along shorelines. Striped bass are good on chicken livers, shad and spoons.

CANYON LAKE: Water murky; 63–67 degrees; 8.62’ low. Large-mouth bass are fair on brown hair jigs, drop-shot worms, and worms on shaky jigheads along break lines and ledges. Striped bass are fair trolling white striper jigs and vertically jigging. White bass are fair.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 65–69 degrees; 24.00’ low. Large-mouth bass are fair on swimbaits and Texas-rigged soft plastic liz-ards. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows and fair on jigs under lights at night. Drum are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on punchbait.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 62–66 degrees; 16.45’ low. Largemouth bass are good on dark soft plastic worms, lizards and spinner baits. Hybrid striper are fair on live shad.

COLETO CREEK: Water clear; 65 degrees in main lake, 73 degrees at hot water discharge; 3.89’ low. Largemouth bass to 6 pounds are good on soft plastics and spinner baits. White bass are slow. Crap-pie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh to 12 pounds are fair on live perch in 8–10 feet.

CONROE: Water stained; 63–67

degrees; 0.44’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on dark soft plastics and spinner baits. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are good on min-nows. Catfi sh are good on stink-bait and liver.

COOPER: Water clear; 66–70 de-grees; 10.74’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on medium crank-baits and Carolina-rigged plastics up to ’15 deep. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs.

FALCON: Water clear; 65–69 de-grees; 24.81’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and shallow-running crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers, stinkbait and liver.

FAYETTE: Water stained. Large-mouth bass are fair on watermel-on and chartreuse Carolina-rigged soft plastics, crankbaits and lip-less crankbaits. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and shad.

FORK: Water clear; 57–62 de-grees; 3.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits on jigheads along main lake points. Bed fi sh being caught on white craws. Yel-low bass and white bass are good on slabs and small crankbaits.

FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 53–60 degrees; 13.15’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on black/blue jigs, lipless crankbaits and Texas rigs.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on wa-termelon red and June bug red soft plastics and crankbaits. Crap-pie are good on minnows.

GRANBURY: Water stained; 65–69 degrees; 10.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon red soft plastics, spinner baits, crank-baits and lipless crankbaits.

GRANGER: Water clear; 65–69 degrees; 0.02’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on small spinner baits and crank-baits.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 55–60 degrees; 9.96’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits in pumpkinseed. Crappie are good on chartreuse jigs. White bass are good on slabs and minnows.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 63–67 degrees; 0.18’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on black soft plastic worms and white/light blue spinner baits in 4–10 feet. White bass are slow.

HUBBARD CREEK: Water off-col-or; 54–61 degrees; 24.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and drop-shot rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 56–60 de-grees; 1.34’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shallow crankbaits and bladed jigs. Crappie are slow on minnows. White bass are good on slabs.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 58–64; degrees; 1.13’ high. Largemouth bass are good on sexy shad swim jigs and Texas-rigged creature baits. Crappie are good on jigs.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 56–60 degrees; 11.76’ low. Large-mouth bass are fair on sun perch bladed jigs and green pumpkin creature baits.

LBJ: Water stained; 64–68 de-grees; 0.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue jigs and watermelon tubes on docks. Striped bass are slow. White bass are good.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 55–60 degrees; 7.66’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged craws in green pumpkin near shal-low cover. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on jigs.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 64–68 degrees; 0.30’ high. Largemouth bass are good on wa-termelon red spinner baits and soft plastics. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows.

MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 68–71 degrees; 0.05 high. Large-mouth bass are fair on shallow crankbaits and weightless soft plastics. Crappie are fair on min-nows. White bass are good on minnows.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 61–66 degrees; 0.81’ high. Largemouth bass are good on hol-low body frogs and Texas-rigged green pumpkin creature baits. Crappie are good on minnows and

jigs. Catfi sh are good on night-crawlers.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water murky; 64–68 degrees; 0.03’ low. Large-mouth bass are good on crank-baits and spinner baits near the dam. White bass are slow.

OAK CREEK: Water stained; 54–61 degrees; 22.45’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shaky heads, lip-less crankbaits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows.

PALESTINE: Water clear; 55–60 degrees; 0.86’ high. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin wacky worms and shaky heads. Crappie are good on jigs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. White bass are good on jigs.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 54–61 degrees; 13.64’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and Texas rigs.

PROCTOR: Water stained; 65–69 degrees; 8.65’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse/black soft plastic worms and lizards. Striped bass are good on live shad and white striper jigs.

RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 7.34’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on medium-diving crankbaits and Texas-rigged craws. Crappie are slow on min-nows and chartreuse jigs.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 55–60 degrees; 8.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged green pumpkin soft plastics and football head jigs dragged along main points. Crappie are good on min-nows and white jigs. White bass are good on minnows. Catfi sh are good on cut shad.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water light-ly stained; 56–61 degrees; 7.59’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on medium- and deep-diving crank-baits. Crappie are good on min-nows.

SAM RAYBURN: Water murky; 63–67 degrees; 2.03’ low. Large-mouth bass are fair on Caroli-na-rigged watermelon red soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfi sh are good on shrimp, live minnows and stinkbait.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 64–68 degrees; 2.49’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft

plastics and crankbaits. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and slabs. Crap-pie are good on minnows and chartreuse/white tube jigs.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 64–68 degrees; 11.37’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spin-ner baits and lipless crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies.

SWEETWATER: Water murky; 53–59 degrees; 24.16’ low. Large-mouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows.

TEXOMA: Water clear; 55–60 de-grees; 8.58’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on shaky heads and Texas-rigged worms near laydown timber. Crappie are fair on char-treuse jigs. Striped bass are good on slabs and crankbaits.

TOLEDO BEND: Water murky; 60–64 degrees; 1.35’ low. Large-mouth bass are fair on chartreuse/black lipless crankbaits, spinner baits and crankbaits.

TRAVIS: Water murky; 64–68 de-grees; 53.96’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Senkos, fl ukes, and crawfi sh crankbaits in 5–15 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are good on silver crankbaits, white grubs and minnows.

WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are good on chartreuse striper jigs and silver spoons.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 63–67 degrees; 12.12’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin spinner baits, crankbaits and soft plastics.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 58–62 degrees; 5.96 ’ high. Crappie are good on min-nows and jigs. Catfi sh are good on trotlines.

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT

Even though the lake is still low, bass fi shing is picking up, along with limits of white bass on small spinners.

Punch bait for cats

Even though the lake is still low, bass fi shing is picking up, along with limits of white bass on small spinners.


Kilgore angler wins Big Bass Bash

The 2nd Annual Big Bass Bash was held April 12-13 on Lake Palestine and Kilgore angler Bobby Curnutt took the top prize with an 8.46-pound bass.

According to Johnny Lathrop, general manager at KNUE Radio and Townsquare Media, which hosted the tournament, the fi shing was good and the tournament grew 90 percent from last year.

“We had 350 anglers,” he said.

“Bobby caught the fi sh in the 8 a.m. hour on the fi rst day and it stood for the entire length of the tournament. Everything worked out and the weather held until 1 p.m. on Sunday.”

According to KETK NBC News in Tyler, Curnutt was fi ghting an injury and wasn’t going to fi sh in the tournament until his son, who is battling cancer, told him to go.

“It’s a great story,” Lathrop said. “We love to have winners like that with a touching story.”

Curnutt won $10,000 for his big fi sh.

— Staff report

WINNING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS: Bobby Curnutt holds the 8.46-pound bass that won him the Big Bass Bash after only fi shing for one hour on April 12. Photo by Big Bass Bash.

Lake AustinContinued from Page 1

A LOT OF BIG FISH: One of guide Ryan Wags’ clients holds a nearly 10-pound bass she caught recently on Lake Austin. Photo by Ryan Wags.

The issue for the lake is the lack of hydrilla since grass carp were introduced to control the invasive plant several years ago. They have done their job too well, according to Booker.

“There are maybe one or two patches of it left, but even those root balls are being eaten by the carp,” he said. “It’s bittersweet because we have a feeling about what is coming. We don’t want to have happen here what happened on Stillhouse Hollow.”

Another issue with the lake is the amount of pressure, according to Booker.

“It’s getting hammered,” he said. “There are a lot of license plates in the parking lot daily from Illinois, Florida and Louisiana. I get asked a lot how to catch fi sh on this lake. The secret is to fi sh it a lot. Austin is infamous for not being able to pat-tern.”

Another angler who fi shes Austin regularly is guide Ryan Wags. Wags said he has had some great days recently with multiple big bass.

“This lake is emerging as one of the primary trophy lakes in the country,” he said. “If you don’t land a 5-pounder, you usually get a shot at one.”

Wags agrees the spawn was all over the place and said his cli-ents have caught some long bass recently that would have made it to double digits had they not already released their eggs.

“The weather hasn’t been sta-ble yet,” he said. “When we get a few days of warm weather, we are catching them in 2 to 5 feet. Recent cold fronts have knocked that back a little bit. The morning bite has been off when it is cold, which is normal for spring fi shing.”

Wags said the pressure is get-ting a little ridiculous on the small

body of water.“After that Sharelunker was

caught, the ramps looked like it was Lake Fork,” he said. “I’ve never seen it so busy, and that was on a Friday.”

Wags said the hydrilla is almost gone and that makes the fi sh

tougher to catch because they move more.

“It is going to have an impact,” he said. “Grass defi nitely helps concentrate the fi sh.”

— Staff reportRyan Wags, (830) 832-6505


CATFISH USED AS TROTLINE BAITSmith County Game Wardens

Scott Holly and Chris Bird were patrolling the Navidad River for rec-reational fishing and water safety enforcement during a local cat-fish tournament. While on patrol, the wardens discovered a trotline baited with several blue catfish and watched the trotline from a distance. Later that afternoon, three fisher-men returned to check their line and were greeted by the wardens. The men denied having baited their line with blue catfish until the wardens explained they had taken pictures of the catfish. The three men then admitted baiting the line with blue catfish and citations were issued for using game fish as bait.

CAST-NETTERS OF WHITE BASS NETTED BY WARDEN

Dallas County Game Warden Jamie Sanchez received a call from a man fishing on Rowlett Creek who had seen several men throw-ing a cast net. The man reported he had seen the men leaving Rowlett Creek with three ice chests filled with white bass, but could not iden-tify a vehicle. Sanchez was unable to make contact with the men that morning but returned that night and noticed three cars by the creek, so he decided to wait. At approximately midnight, six men wearing head-lamps with bags on their shoulders walked toward the parked cars. The bags the men were carrying were filled with white bass and the men had no fishing rods or reels. The men admitted to using a cast net to take all of the white bass and gave Sanchez the net they had used. A total of 107 white bass were taken that night, along with one 6-foot cast net. Cases pending.

WARDEN HELPS CATCH OILFIELD EQUIPMENT THIEVES

Gregg County Game Warden Todd Long was contacted by a local land-owner regarding illegal hunting and trespassing. Long responded and found additional evidence of pos-sible burglary and oilfield theft activity on adjacent property where petroleum trucks and energy equip-ment were stored. Long contacted corporate supervisors who helped secure evidence of unauthorized persons after losing thousands of dollars in equipment thefts. Several law enforcement agencies joined the investigation including the Texas Comptroller’s Office-Criminal Investigation Division for dyed-die-sel fuel crimes. At least two subjects have been identified and arrested for multiple felony theft charges, iden-tity theft, evading arrest, trespassing and numerous outstanding warrants.

ROAD HUNTERS MISS TURKEY, FIND WARDENS

Nolan County Game Warden Jake Simmering received a call from a

local ranch foreman around 8 p.m. advising a vehicle had just driven past his house and shot off the road. The rancher said he had left his house and attempted to approach the vehicle. When he did, one male subject who was walking next to the vehicle jumped a fence and ran. Shortly after this, Simmering and two Nolan County deputies arrived. The driver of the vehicle said they had seen three turkeys standing in the road and he had stopped and shot at one, but missed. He also said his friend had been walking the fence line to see if he had hit the turkey and when the rancher drove up, he ran. Simmering was able to contact the subject on his cell phone and had him walk back to the road. Several cases are pending.

KEEPER OF OVERSIZED BLACK DRUM CAUGHT

Aransas County Game Warden Scott McLeod apprehended two subjects in Aransas Bay with three black drum exceeding 40 inches in length. Citations issued and the fish

were released.

BASS CAST-NETTERS BUSTEDWilliamson County Game Warden

Joel Campos received a call regard-ing a group cast-netting largemouth bass in the San Gabriel River behind the Katy Crossing Subdivision. Campos found one adult female fil-leting largemouth bass and three adult males using cast nets. Charges and civil restitution are pending.

PIER FISHERMEN KEEPS WAY TOO MANY SMALL TROUT

Cameron County Game Warden Santana Torres received a call on South Padre Island that an indi-vidual was at a local pier, keeping several undersized trout. As Torres arrived, the individual was packing up and getting ready to leave. The individual was in possession of 27 spotted seatrout, of which 22 were undersized, along with one under-sized sheepshead. Multiple citations were issued.

GOOD CATFISH CATCHING DAY TURNS BAD

Polk County Game Warden Ryan Hall was patrolling the Trinity River below the Lake Livingston dam and caught a local man who was 19 cat-fish over the daily bag limit. Cases pending.

GROUP KEEPS 84 SHEEPSHEAD, GETS 23 TICKETS

Cameron County Game Wardens Santana Torres and Jarret Barker were patrolling the Lower Laguna Madre when they noticed several people on the South Padre Island jetties catching sheepshead. After patrolling the bay, the wardens made a trip to the jetties where sev-eral violations were ongoing. At the jetties, 23 citations were issued, three warnings given and 84 sheeps-head were seized. The fish were later donated to Loaves & Fishes in Harlingen.

FEED STORE CONVERSATION LEADS TO CITATIONS

Sutton County Game Warden Will Allison, while off-duty, was visiting his local feed store when he over-heard several men who had just purchased Nonresident Special Hunting Licenses turn down an offer of a Nonresident Spring Turkey License from the store clerk. The men made statements that led Allison to believe that they might be intending to violate game bird laws. Allison followed the men in his per-sonal truck and found out the loca-tion where the subjects were hunting exotics. He then called Schleicher County Game Warden Chris Frey and informed him of the situation. The next day, citations for possession of untagged turkeys and a nonresident hunting without a valid license were issued and two turkeys were seized. Cases and restitution pending.

GAME WARDEN BLOTTERPOACHER HIDES UNDER PORCH WITH HIS CROSSBOW

A landowner reported to Bell County Game Warden Brandt Bernstein that a deer was shot on his ranch and he believed that one of the tenants who lived on the ranch shot the deer. Bernstein and fellow war-den Justin Valchar responded and located the deer behind the suspect’s residence. The suspect had been outside working on furniture when the wardens arrived, and another individual was near the deer and watching the wardens. As the wardens pulled up, they observed the suspect disappear behind a shed. Valcar knocked on the door and made contact with a female resident who said she was the only one home. In the back yard, the suspect had crawled underneath the back porch and was hiding with a crossbow.

He was placed under arrest. The next-door neighbor then came out of his residence and became aggres-sive towards the wardens. Bernstein told the neighbor to leave and the man refused. Bernstein attempted to place the man under arrest for interference and the suspect pulled away and tried to spin around. A strug-gle ensued, and Valchar assisted as the man con-tinued to struggle with both wardens. The man was arrested for resisting and interference with a public servant. Valchar located a bloody crossbow bolt 25 yards from the house, and the bolt was retained as evidence, along with a sample of blood from the deer. Multiple cases pending.




Party Boats, said their clients are having luck with red snapper at lower depths on different live baits. For their more experienced clients, they are jigging, using sardines and croakers for their daily catch — they have a special pilot boat permit for off-season red snapper.

“They’ve been pulling in some big ones this year,” Williams said. “The nice thing about red snapper is that it doesn’t matter what the weather is like.”

Oestreich said the red snapper have been over-productive in their region, and their clients are bringing in daily limits consistently — many large fi sh as well.

“They’re coming back with huge red snapper,” Oestreich said. “The snap-per are so thick out there (40-45 miles off the coast), you can’t not reach your limit.”

Not so for other species. Bill Busters’ Freda Greene, out of Port Aransas, said the warming water temperatures are getting their season kickstarted.

Atlantic sharpnose have been strik-ing on ribbonfi sh — a staple bait in their area — and last week they had a decent intake of smaller fi sh. Temperatures are hovering near 70 degrees, which she said will bring in female sharks soon to have their pups in the shallower waters.

In addition to sharks, Greene said the kingfi sh, ling and dorado have been coming in on lines while trolling a drift-ing offshore as well.

Closer to shore, Galveston’s Captain Mike Williams said sharks were nowhere to be seen in for the past sev-eral weeks, due to cooler temperatures.

“I haven’t seen sharks within 30 nau-tical miles in January or February, but they are showing up now,” he said.

The offshore boats are a few weeks ahead. Oestreich said they have been seeing some — not many — species of sharks, including Atlantic sharpnose, mako and hammerhead.

But while numbers have been pick-ing up, they are still a bit behind, Greene pointed out. She also pointed out that the season is still early.

“You aren’t getting those fi sh close to shore yet,” Greene said. “Really our sea-son is just getting started.”

OffshoreContinued from Page 1

MOVING IN FOR THE SUMMER: Offshore species are beginning to move around the Gulf Coast, as water temperatures are rising. Some sharks are being caught in shallower waters. Photo by Capt. Mike Williams.

Coon huntingContinued from Page 5

READY TO RUN: Members of the CHKC compete on a point-based system that ranks members from different clubs nationally. There are approximately 3,000 competitive coon hunters registered with the club. Photo by Steve Schwartz, Lone Star Outdoor News.

tion in Kentucky, winning $12,000 and a truck. He has been coon hunting since he was 12. He said while the sport may be unique, the draw is similar to many oth-ers.

“It’s the same as anything else, you have to practice to win coon hunts,” McCaskill said.

He said that a substantial amount of the effort comes before the hunt while training the dogs. Once the tailgate drops and the dogs hit the trail, it’s all about the competition.

“It’s the thing the draws everybody to a sport, the competition of the thing,” he said.

Ramsey said the CHKC is the third-largest coon hunting organization in the country. Others include the United Kennel Club, Professional Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. The Pilot Point chapter is a nonprofit group, which donates their income to charities at the end of the year.

Ramsey said the clubs have surpassed expectations for this year, but he isn’t ready to rest easy just yet.

“It’s gone better than I could have expected,” he said. “But I hope we can double or triple it by next year.”


NORTH SABINE: Trout, redfi sh and fl ounder are good in the Neches River in 4–20 feet of water around points. Flounder are fair on jigs tipped with shrimp around marsh drains.

SOUTH SABINE: Sheepshead, redfi sh and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Flounder and redfi sh are good in the Bessie Heights marsh.

BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and plugs. Black drum and redfi sh are good at Rollover Pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on the east shoreline on plastics and slow–sinkers. Redfi sh and fl ounder are fair in the marsh on fi nger mullet.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on top-waters and twitch-baits. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. Black

drum are fair to good in the Ship Channel on crabs.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters working shell on live shrimp. Sheeps-head, redfi sh and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Redfi sh and black drum are good in the back lakes on shrimp and scented plastics.

FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay. Black drum and redfi sh are good at the jetties on cracked blue crabs.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout and redfi sh are fair for drifters in fi ve feet of water on live shrimp. Redfi sh are fair in Lake Austin on shrimp.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfi sh are fair to good in Oyster Lake on shrimp and crabs. Black drum and redfi sh are fair to good at the jetty on crabs. Redfi sh and black drum are fair to good

at Shell Island on shrimp.

PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfi sh are fair on reefs in San Antonio Bay on live bait. Trout and redfi sh are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Black drum are fair to good in Mor-ris–Cummings Cut on free–lined shrimp. Black drum are good in the Lydia Ann Channel on crabs. Redfi sh are fair to good in Allyn’s Bight and Estes Flats.

PORT ARANSAS: Black drum are good in the Shrimpboat Channel on crabs and fi nger mul-let. Redfi sh and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on scented plastics and live shrimp. Black drum and redfi sh are fair to good in the Packery Channel on crabs.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good around rocks

and sand and grass on soft plastics. Black drum are good in the Land Cut on crabs. High winds and brown tide has hurt water clarity.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on top-waters around sand and grass along the shoreline. Redfi sh are fair to good while drift-ing potholes on scented plastics and live bait. Black drum and redfi sh are good on crabs at East Cut.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout are fair around the spoil islands, channel edges and color changes on DOA Shrimp. Black drum, redfi sh and jack cre-valle are fair on live bait at the jetty. Flounder are fair to good on the spoils along the ICW on fi nger mullet.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfi sh are fair to good at Gas Well Flats on live shrimp. Redfi sh are fair on the fl ats South Bay on DOA Shrimp, scented plastics and live shrimp. Trout are fair on the edge of the spoils on live bait.

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORTBig fl atfi sh

GOOSE ISLAND — Capt. Rick Hammond has reported some great nights gigging fl oun-der in the bays and coves around Goose Island State Park.

According to Hammond, wind has been a factor and has forced him to search for pro-tected waters, but he has been successful fi nding fl atfi sh stacked on beds in shallow coves along sandy shorelines and shorelines with oyster beds.

Fish holding over soft mud in areas with baitfi sh are also pro-viding good gigging action.

Along with fl ounder, some sheepshead and black drum are also being gigged.

To contact Capt. Rick Hammond, call (361) 727-0045.

Top-water timeTHE LAND CUT — Good boxes of trout and redfi sh are being caught on pink-colored

top-waters.According to multiple reports, areas around the Land Cut are producing trout up to 25

inches in 3 to 4 feet of water over mud/shell mix. The top-water bite has been best during the mornings.

Along with top-water action, plenty of nice trout have been caught wading throwing soft and scented plastics in white and chartreuse.

Keeper troutPIRATE’S LANDING FISHING PIER — The popular

South Padre Island fi shing pier has been producing solid catches of keeper-sized speckled trout, although most of the action has been at night.

According to Manager Marco Rodriguez, the daytime bite has been decent for whiting and a few black drum. But the action heats up when it gets dark, and anglers have been reeling in nice boxes of sheepshead, sandtrout and speckled trout.

“Most everyone is using live shrimp,” he said. “The water is clean and it hasn’t been too windy, which is a nice change.”

Along with live shrimp, Fishbites have also caught whiting during the day.To contact Pirate’s Landing, call (956) 943-7437.

— Conor Harrison

South Padre Island fi shing pier has been producing solid catches of keeper-sized speckled trout, although most of the action has been at night.

and a few black drum. But the action heats up when it gets dark, and anglers have been reeling in nice boxes of sheepshead, sandtrout and speckled trout.

Fish holding over soft mud in areas with baitfi sh are also pro-Fish holding over soft mud in areas with baitfi sh are also pro-

with live shrimp, Fishbites have also caught whiting during the day.To contact Pirate’s Landing, call (956) 943-7437.

Along with live shrimp, Fishbites have also caught whiting during the day.Along with live shrimp, Fishbites have also caught whiting during the day.To contact Pirate’s Landing, call (956) 943-7437.


the program are Labrador retrievers.“The first training was for narcotics,”

Thorne said. “That is not our main law enforcement focus, but we have a pretty big rural area where manpower is lower and we deal with that. Part of the reason we start with narcotics is that it teaches the dogs to use their nose and trains the handler to work with the dog. Next is search and rescue, and we are getting ready to leave and go back to Utah to take courses in tracking and evidence recovery.”

Thorne said training dogs to sniff out con-traband wildlife is a little different than nar-cotics.

“Those dogs will detect deer, ducks, ivory, shell casings, firearms, fish and other wild-life,” he said. “One handler and a dog just made a case with a bunch of undersized white bass. The basic fundamentals are the same with wildlife and narcotics in that you train the dog to alert — basically sit or scratch when he smells something.

“The wildlife dogs will train and work in more natural areas like camps, fields and woods.”

Thorne said they implement “ranging”

techniques where the wildlife dogs will search larger areas on their own, “much like a bird dog will cover large areas looking for quail.”

The dogs have to pass rigorous testing to make the final cut to become part of the pro-gram.

“They have to find a single shell casing in a half or a quarter of an acre,” Thorne said. “It is a pretty good-sized area. (Justin) can smell very minute amounts of odor. I assist a lot of agencies and Justin has made several misde-meanor and felony cases. It’s really interest-ing and he is really high-strung.”

Being a handler is a huge commitment, requiring a minimum of 28 hours per month on training, and multiple trips to Utah for eight weeks at a time. Thorne said he is head-ing back to Utah for another eight-week training session soon. However, the benefit to the public will be big, according to Asst. Commander Kevin Davis, who oversees the K9 program.

“Our program is designed around public safety and helping people in need,” Davis said. “Response time will be fast because we are positioning these dogs all over the state. Our main focus will be search and rescue after natural disasters, looking for deceased people and people lost in the outdoors.”

K9 unitContinued from Page 1

THE NOSE KNOWS: Along with handler John Thorne, Justin searches for contraband during a training exer-cise in Utah. Photo by TPWD.


SHARE AN ADVENTUREn Want to share hunting and fishing photos with

other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? Email them with contact and caption information to editor@lon-

estaroutdoornews.com. High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail

prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695,

Dallas, TX 75355.

HEROES

GABE BRACE, 16, was fishing White Rock Lake in Dallas when he caught this nice largemouth bass.

NATHAN HARWELL caught his dorado trolling ballyhoo near a ripline close to Southern Rock aboard the Fish + Fun II.

HERIBERTO RODRIGUEZ shot this bull nilgai at 60 yards with his PSE Omen in Hidalgo County.

DAVID BROOKS was trolling in 62 feet of water when this wahoo hit a ballyhoo bait.

KELLY DAHLSEID, of Round Rock, took her first deer with a perfect shot from 98 yards with a Remington 700 .30-06 on her lease in Junction.



Nikon will send your 10x42 ProStaff 7

binoculars. You can check out

the entire line at the nearest dealer:

See a full selection of Nikon products at:

Ray’s Sporting Goods730 Singleton Blvd,

Dallas, TX 75212(214) 747-7916

www.rayssportinggoods.com

NATIONAL

Eleven-year-old

Dallas hunter Tommy Kay recently harvested these

two big gobblers

during the opening day of

youth season with a single shot from his 20-gauge on family land near

Coleman. They

were Tommy’s

fi rst birds, and

they sported beards of 8 and

10 inches.

USFWS amends decision on ivory imports The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

revised the April 4, 2014, fi nding that suspended imports of elephants from Zimbabwe and Tanzania for 2014. Under the revision, elephant tro-

phies legally taken from Zimbabwe from Jan. 1, 2014 until April 4, 2014 will be allowed to be imported. The hunter will still need to be able

to demonstrate to USFWS Offi ce of Law Enforcement that the hunt occurred before that date in order to import the trophy.

— SCI

Dead bighorn could be the new recordA massive bighorn sheep that died

of natural causes and was later found by wildlife offi cials could be a new World’s Record, according to the Boone and Crockett Club.The ram was found in Alberta. The

skull now is in possession of pro-vincial offi cials and will be entered into Boone and Crockett records on behalf of the citizens of Alberta.“Many hunters are unaware that

Boone and Crockett records include many found trophies,” said Richard Hale, chairman of the Club’s Big Game Records Committee. “The main reason we keep records is to document conservation success.

Although they aren’t taken by hunt-ers, found trophies are nonetheless an important gauge of outstanding habitat, strong recruitment of game animals into older age classes, sustainable harvest objectives and other elements of sound wildlife management. Picked-up trophies are an integral part of the conservation success story. Without them, the story is incomplete.”Alberta biologists speculate the

bighorn died in early summer 2013 at 10 1/2 years of age.Boone and Crockett offi cial measur-

ers in Alberta taped the horns and alerted the club they had totaled a preliminary green score that would exceed the current World’s Record. That ram, also from Alberta, scored 208-3/8 B&C points and was taken in 2000.

— Boone and Crockett

Virginia elk restoration project complete A multi-year project to restore wild

elk to their native hills of Virginia is complete thanks to the Rocky Moun-tain Elk Foundation, its volunteers, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and several other partners. “This is a prime example of what

can happen when good people work together,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “There is now a growing and sustainable elk herd on the ground in Virginia for the fi rst time in more than four decades.” The third and fi nal group of 45 wild elk —14 bulls and 31 cows, 16 of

which are pregnant — arrived in Virginia’s Buchanan County from Kentucky, joining an existing herd of approximately 30 elk previously relocated in 2012 and 2013. Virginia has a goal of growing the

herd to about 400 animals and even-tually instituting a regulated hunting season. RMEF completed successful elk

restorations in Wisconsin in 1995, Kentucky in 1997, Tennessee in 2000, Ontario in 2001, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2002, Missouri in 2011, and Virginia in 2014.

— RMEF

Fla., Ga. groups team up for quailConservation groups and state

agencies are partnering to help the northern bobwhite quail in Florida and Georgia.The four partners are the Florida

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com-mission, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Quail Forever and Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy.All four organizations have signed a

memorandum of agreement pledg-ing that they will each support the Florida/Georgia Quail Coalition, whose goal is to enhance, promote and conserve quality habitat for northern bobwhite and to promote and support youth shooting sports programs and education.Quail Forever will provide one

shared, full-time employee and one part-time staff member. The organization also is charged with providing funding to establish, man-

age and monitor quail populations and habitat on public and private lands in Florida and Georgia and to work with the Coalition to increase youth hunting opportunities on some of these lands once adequate bird populations and habitat have been restored. To increase and enhance quality

quail habitat, money for projects will be spent on frequent small-scale prescribed burning, removing oak trees, roller-chopping dense palmet-tos and hardwood thickets and thin-ning rows of planted pine trees. The result of such management practices will create a forest and canopy that is more open, allowing sunlight to reach the forest fl oor, so that native grasses and weeds can grow, which provide quail food and cover from predators.

— FWC

Oklahoma’s Outdoor Education teaching lifelong hobbiesThe Oklahoma Department of Wild-

life Conservation’s outdoor educa-tion programs is fi nding success in public schools, teaching students about safe, ethical and fun outdoor recreation in Oklahoma and growing in popularity among students and school offi cials.The department’s Archery in the

Schools Program has grown over a 10-year period from its original 10 pilot schools to about 425 schools across the state that participate today. The Hunter Education program,

which has educated tens of thou-sands of sportsmen over the years and is credited for a reduction in hunting-related accidents in recent decades, continues to be used widely as in-class curriculum in Oklahoma schools, and the Explore Bowhunting and Explore Bowfi shing programs focus on the hunting and bowfi shing aspects of the sport of archery. The Fishing in the Schools program

implements the department’s Aquatic Resource Education program to teach students in schools about fi shing for recreation and conserva-tion.The newest program is the Scho-

lastic Shooting Sports Program that implements the department’s Shot-gun Training Education Program to introduce safe, competitive shotgun shooting to youth as part of school curriculum.

— ODWC

Gibson receives lifetime guide awardThe Orvis Company announced

Doug Gibson as the recipient of the Orvis-Endorsed Guide Lifetime Achievement Award. Born in Newdale, Idaho, Gibson

has been fi shing for more than 56 years. Currently the head guide for Three Rivers Ranch in Warm River, he began his guiding career in 1972. He has received the Guide of the Year Award from Orvis in the past, a testament to his expertise, experi-ence and knowledge on the water.

— Orvis


Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

FOR THE TABLEOUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen Solution on Page 27

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 min-ute per 12 miles west of a location.

Sun Moon Tides| |

Boneless meat from 1 rabbit, cut into 1-inch chunks1, 11 1/2-ounce can of bean with bacon soup1, 12-ounce can pinto beans1 cup water2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch slices2-3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces1/4 cup dried cranberries1 tbsp brown sugarSalt, pepper, garlic powder, dried

parsley, curry and cayenne pepper to taste

Place meat, soup, beans, water, car-rots, bacon, cranberries and sugar in a crock-pot. Season to taste with the spices. Cook on low 4 hours. Soup is done when carrots are tender. Can substitute with chicken or squirrel.

— backwoodsbound.com

4 (6-ounce) striped bass fillets1 lemon1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 tspn chopped fresh thyme1 tspn chopped fresh oregano1/4 tspn salt1/4 tspn freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Place fish on pan. Grate lemon rind to measure 1 teaspoon; juice lemon to measure 1 tablespoon. Combine rind, juice, oil, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper; drizzle mixture over fish. Bake for 13 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. — myrecipes.com

Lemon and herb roasted striper

Texas Coast TidesSabine Pass, northDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 7:19 AM 0.6L 1:43 PM 1.6H 7:49 PM 0.5L 2:31 AM 1.8HApr 26 8:19 AM 0.8L 2:15 PM 1.6H 8:30 PM 0.3L 3:30 AM 1.9 HApr 27 9:14 AM 0.9L 2:46 PM 1.6H 9:11 PM 0.1LApr 28 4:23 AM 2.0H 10:03 AM 1.0L 3:15 PM 1.6H 9:51 PM 0.0LApr 29 5:12 AM 2.0H 10:50 AM 1.2L 3:42 PM 1.6H 10:30 PM 0.0LApr 30 6:00 AM 2.0H 11:34 AM 1.3L 4:06 PM 1.6H 11:11 PM 0.0LMay 1 6:48 AM 1.9H 12:17 PM 1.3L 4:24 PM 1.5H 11:52 PM 0.0LMay 2 7:38 AM 1.8H 1:04 PM 1.4L 4:31 PM 1.5HMay 3 12:36 AM 0.1L 8:33 AM 1.7H 2:05 PM 1.4L 4:16 PM 1.4HMay 4 1:23 AM 0.3L 9:36 AM 1.7HMay 5 2:15 AM 0.4L 10:40 AM 1.6HMay 6 3:14 AM 0.6L 11:34 AM 1.6H 7:47 PM 1.2L 10:13 PM 1.2HMay 7 4:20 AM 0.7L 12:13 PM 1.6H 6:53 PM 1.1LMay 8 12:01 AM 1.3H 5:27 AM 0.8L 12:42 PM 1.5H 6:58 PM 0.9 LMay 9 1:10 AM 1.4H 6:31 AM 0.9L 1:06 PM 1.5H 7:19 PM 0.7 L

Port O’ConnorDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 2:43 AM 0.7H 9:29 AM 0.5L 3:22 PM 0.7H 9:54 PM 0.5LApr 26 6:03 AM 0.8H 10:51 AM 0.7L 2:24 PM 0.7H 10:32 PM 0.4LApr 27 7:32 AM 0.9H 11:12 PM 0.3LApr 28 8:52 AM 0.9H 11:54 PM 0.2LApr 29 10:09 AM 1.0HApr 30 12:34 AM 0.2L 11:25 AM 1.0HMay 1 1:14 AM 0.2L 12:37 PM 1.0HMay 2 1:52 AM 0.2L 1:32 PM 1.0HMay 3 2:31 AM 0.2L 2:10 PM 0.9HMay 4 3:12 AM 0.3L 2:35 PM 0.9HMAy 5 3:56 AM 0.3L 2:58 PM 0.9HMay 6 4:45 AM 0.3L 3:23 PM 0.9HMay 7 5:40 AM 0.4L 3:44 PM 0.8HMay 8 6:40 AM 0.5L 3:52 PM 0.7HMay 9 7:51 AM 0.6L 2:21 PM 0.7H 9:30 PM 0.5L

Bean and bunny soup

*email LSON your favorite recipe to [email protected].

ACROSS 1. Large groups of animals 3. A buck’s mating ritual 5. A breed of gun dog 8. A beaver project 9. The chinook10. Animal pathways11. A saltwater food fi sh13. At times used for catfi sh bait15. A wood used in arrow shafts16. Flocks of theses are called a covey17. A gauge used by anglers20. This will remove gamey taste from meat22. Camp resting place23. A game having young24. A predator of small game27. Long-distance archery targets30. A buck’s domain marks31. A type of gunsight33. Shotgun model, over and _____34. Locale of the largest bass35. Found in the

boathouse36. Furs, hides, etc.39. To pull back a bowstring44. A game run45. Largest North American deer46. A heavily populated elk state DOWN 1. The 36 across 2. Male dall 3. To examine tracks for freshness 4. The male turkey 5. Part of a fi shline 6. Object of an aimed rifl e 7. Oxidation on a gun part 9. A fi shing aid12. Letter code for shotgun model13. Used for bait at times14. A type of shotgun15. A kind of jig16. The arrow container18. Term for trigger requiring light pull19. Hunter’s friend and aid21. A lure, scent ____23. The beginner hunter

25. A deer food source26. The 16 down fi ller28. A ____fi sh29. Lure speciality32. Atlantic ships use very large ones36. A sound made by a wild turkey37. To prepare a gun for fi ring

38. A kind of fl at fi sh39. The stag is of this family40. Term for imaginary line through a bore41. Another name for a gobbler42. A lion’s foot43. Angler’s choice, light, medium or heavy

Rollover PassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 4:34 AM 1.4H 11:47 AM 0.7L 5:05 PM 1.2H 11:36 PM 0.7LApr 26 5:52 AM 1.5H 12:44 PM 0.8L 5:18 PM 1.2HApr 27 12:09 AM 0.5L 7:02 AM 1.5H 1:41 PM 0.9L 5:31 PM 1.2HApr 28 12:44 AM 0.4L 8:08 AM 1.6H 2:39 PM 1.1L 5:44 PM 1.2HApr 29 1:20 AM 0.3L 9:15 AM 1.6H 3:40 PM 1.2L 5:56 PM 1.2HApr 30 1:58 AM 0.2L 10:28 AM 1.6HMay 1 2:38 AM 0.3L 11:56 AM 1.5HMay 2 3:21 AM 0.3L 1:49 PM 1.5HMay 3 4:07 AM 0.4L 3:38 PM 1.5HMay 4 5:02 AM 0.5L 4:22 PM 1.4HMay 5 6:19 AM 0.6L 4:27 PM 1.4HMay 6 7:42 AM 0.7L 4:20 PM 1.3HMay 7 8:48 AM 0.7L 4:05 PM 1.3H 10:34 PM 1.0LMay 8 2:12 AM 1.1H 9:46 AM 0.8L 4:02 PM 1.3H 10:59 PMLMay 9 3:47 AM 1.2H 10:41 AM 0.8L 4:16 PM 1.3H 11:23 PM 0.8L

East MatagordaDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 1:49 AM 0.4H 7:47 AM 0.2L 2:04 PM 0.4H 10:00 PM 0.2 LApr 26 2:59 AM 0.4H 10:24 AM 0.3L 1:21 PM 0.4H 10:29 PM 0.1 LApr 27 4:41 AM 0.4H 10:54 AM 0.3L 1:37 PM 0.4H 10:43 PM 0.1 LApr 28 8:17 AM 0.4H 10:58 AM 0.3L 2:02 PM 0.4H 11:01 PM 0.0 LApr 29 9:00 AM 0.4H 11:09 AM 0.4L 2:36 PM 0.4H 11:26 PM 0.0LApr 30 1:12 PM 0.4HMay 1 12:00 AM 0.0L 10:32 AM 0.4HMay 2 1:10 AM 0.1L 12:21 PM 0.4HMay 3 3:04 AM 0.1L 12:51 PM 0.5HMay 4 3:25 AM 0.1L 1:20 PM 0.5HMay 5 3:53 AM 0.1L 1:49 PM 0.4HMay 6 4:36 AM 0.1L 2:17 PM 0.4HMay 7 6:53 AM 0.1L 1:13 PM 0.4H 7:40 PM 0.3LMay 8 1:01 AM 0.3H 7:13 AM 0.2L 3:01 PM 0.3H 7:56 PM 0.2LMay 9 1:32 AM 0.3H 7:26 AM 0.2L 1:48 PM 0.4H 7:52 PM 0.2L

Freeport HarborDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 12:56 AM 1.4H 7:31 AM 0.6L 1:30 PM 1.5H 7:58 PM 0.6LApr 26 2:15 AM 1.6H 8:46 AM 0.8L 1:55 PM 1.4H 8:28 PM 0.4LApr 27 3:23 AM 1.8H 9:56 AM 0.9L 2:17 PM 1.3H 9:01 PM 0.2LApr 28 4:24 AM 1.9H 11:04 AM 1.1L 2:36 PM 1.3H 9:35 PM 0.1LApr 29 5:19 AM 1.9H 12:14 PM 1.2L 2:51 PM 1.2H 10:09 PM 0.0LApr 30 6:12 AM 2.0H 10:44 PM 0.0LMay 1 7:02 AM 1.9H 11:20 PM 0.0LMay 2 7:52 AM 1.9H 11:58 PM 0.1LMay 3 8:41 AM 1.8HMay 4 12:39 AM 0.2L 9:30 AM 1.8HMay 5 1:26 AM 0.3L 10:16 AM 1.7HMay 6 2:20 AM 0.5L 10:57 AM 1.6HMay 7 3:30 AM 0.6L 11:32 AM 1.6H 7:11 PM 0.9L 11:01 PM 1.1HMay 8 4:56 AM 0.7L 12:02 PM 1.5H 7:20 PM 0.8LMay 9 12:33 AM 1.2H 6:24 AM 0.9L 12:27 PM 1.4H 7:32 PM 0.6L

South Padre IslandDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 12:37 AM 1.0H 7:09 AM 0.6L 1:10 PM 1.1H 7:46 PM 0.5 LApr 26 2:18 AM 1.2H 8:22 AM 0.7L 1:21 PM 1.1H 8:21 PM 0.3 LApr 27 3:41 AM 1.3H 9:31 AM 0.9L 1:27 PM 1.0H 8:57 PM 0.1LApr 28 04:51 AM 1.4H 10:40 AM 1.0L 1:22 PM 1.1H 9:35 PM -0.1LApr 29 5:55 AM 1.4H 10:13 PM -0.1LApr 30 6:56 AM 1.5H 10:51 PM -0.2LMay 1 7:57 AM 1.4H 11:30 PM -0.2LMay 2 9:00 AM 1.4HMay 3 12:09 AM -0.1L 10:05 AM 1.4HMay 4 12:51 AM 0.0L 11:03 AM 1.3HMay 5 1:35 AM 0.1L 11:44 AM 1.2HMay 6 2:25 AM 0.2L 12:08 PM 1.2HMay 7 3:25 AM 0.3L 12:19 PM 1.1HMay 8 4:39 AM 0.4L 12:26 PM 1.0H 7:24 PM 0.7L 11:42 PM 0.8HMay 9 6:01 AM 0.6L 12:31 PM 1.0H 7:29 PM 0.5L

San Luis PassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Apr 25 1:45 AM 1.1H 8:04 AM 0.5L 2:11 PM 1.2H 8:35 PM 0.5LApr 26 3:03 AM 1.3H 9:10 AM 0.7L 2:37 PM 1.2H 9:13 PM 0.3LApr 27 4:09 AM 1.4H 10:09 AM 0.8L 3:02 PM 1.2H 9:50 PM 0.1LApr 28 5:08 AM 1.4H 11:03 AM 0.9L 3:26 PM 1.2H 10:27 PM 0.0LApr 29 6:03 AM 1.5H 11:54 AM 1.0L 3:48 PM 1.2H 11:04 PM 0.0LApr 30 6:54 AM 1.5H 12:44 PM 1.1L 4:08 PM 1.2H 11:41 PM -0.1LMay 1 7:45 AM 1.4H 1:38 PM 1.1L 4:21 PM 1.2HMay 2 12:19 AM 0.0L 8:36 AM 1.4HMay 3 12:59 AM 0.1L 9:29 AM 1.3HMay 4 1:41 AM 0.2L 10:24 AM 1.3HMay 5 2:28 AM 0.3L 11:16 AM 1.2HMay 6 3:21 AM 0.4L 12:01 PM 1.2HMay 7 4:23 AM 0.5L 12:35 PM 1.2H 8:09 PM 0.8L 11:33 PM 0.9HMay 8 5:35 AM 0.6L 1:01 PM 1.1H 8:07 PM 0.7LMay 9 1:12 AM 0.9H 6:48 AM 0.7L 1:23 PM 1.1H 8:14 PM 0.6L

Port AransasDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 7:13 AM 0.7L 12:55 PM 1.1H 7:53 PM 0.7L 1:49 AM 1.2 HApr 26 8:20 AM 0.8L 1:13 PM 1.1H 8:32 PM 0.5LApr 27 3:26 AM 1.2H 9:22 AM 0.9L 1:34 PM 1.2H 9:09 PM 0.3LApr 28 4:41 AM 1.3H 10:18 AM 1.0L 1:55 PM 1.2H 9:45 PM 0.2LApr 29 5:45 AM 1.3H 11:10 AM 1.1L 2:16 PM 1.2H 10:20 PM 0.2 LApr 30 6:45 AM 1.3H 11:58 AM 1.2L 2:36 PM 1.2H 10:52 PM 0.2 LMay 1 7:42 AM 1.3H 12:42 PM 1.2L 2:57 PM 1.3H 11:24 PM 0.2 LMay 2 8:39 AM 1.3H 11:56 PM 0.3LMay 3 3:41 PM 1.2HMay 4 12:32 AM 0.3L 1:52 PM 1.2HMay 5 1:13 AM 0.4L 2:16 PM 1.2HMay 6 2:02 AM 0.5L 12:02 PM 1.1HMay 7 3:01 AM 0.6L 12:16 PM 1.1H 6:52 PM 1.0L 9:00 PM 1.0HMay 8 4:41 AM 0.6L 12:01 PM 1.1H 7:13 PM 0.8L 10:55 PM 0.9HMay 9 6:25 AM 0.7L 12:05 PM 1.1H 7:37 PM 0.7L

Galveston Bay entrance, north jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 1:36 AM 1.5H 7:20 AM 0.7L 1:46 PM 1.6H 7:54 PM 0.5 LApr 26 2:50 AM 1.7H 8:14 AM 0.9L 2:21 PM 1.6H 8:36 PM 0.3LApr 27 3:57 AM 1.8H 9:23 AM 1.0L 2:56 PM 1.6H 9:25 PM 0.1LApr 28 4:48 AM 2.0H 10:36 AM 1.1L 3:29 PM 1.5H 10:12 PM 0.0 LApr 29 5:32 AM 2.0H 11:26 AM 1.2L 3:53 PM 1.5H 10:53 PM 0.0LApr 30 6:20 AM 2.0H 12:11 PM 1.3L14:12 PM 1.5H 11:32 PM 0.0LMay 1 7:17 AM 2.0H 1:13 PM 1.3L 4:33 PM 1.5HMay 2 12:11 AM 0.0L 8:16 AM 1.9H 2:17 PM 1.4L 4:55 PM 1.5 HMay 3 12:54 AM 0.1L 9:04 AM 1.9H 2:51 PM 1.4L 5:11 PM 1.4HMay 4 1:41 AM 0.2L 09:45 AM 1.8HMay 5 2:26 AM 0.3L 10:28 AM 1.7HMay 6 3:07 AM 0.5L 11:15 AM 1.6HMay 7 3:55 AM 0.6L 12:00 PM 1.6H 7:02 PM 1.0L 11:39 PM 1.2HMay 8 5:21 AM 0.8L 12:35 PM 1.5H 7:01 PM 0.9LMay 9 12:59 AM 1.3H 6:33 AM 0.9L 1:02 PM 1.5H 7:16 PM 0.7L

RockportDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightApr 25 2:06 AM 0.4H 8:51 AM 0.3L 2:49 PM 0.4H 9:32 PM 0.3LApr 26 4:54 AM 0.4H 8:37 AM 0.4L 2:25 PM 0.4H 10:43 PM 0.3LApr 27 2:22 PM 0.5H 11:43 PM 0.2LApr 28 2:37 PM 0.5HApr 29 12:35 AM 0.2L 3:06 PM 0.5HApr 30 1:25 AM 0.2L 3:46 PM 0.5HMay 1 2:14 AM 0.2L 4:35 PM 0.5HMay 2 3:04 AM 0.2L 5:33 PM 0.5HMay 3 3:54 AM 0.2L 6:39 PM 0.5HMay 4 4:45 AM 0.2L 7:48 PM 0.5HMay 5 5:33 AM 0.3L 9:00 PM 0.5HMay 6 6:17 AM 0.3L 10:16 PM 0.4HMay 7 6:55 AM 0.3L 2:54 PM 0.4H 6:17 PM 0.4L 11:45 PM 0.4HMay 8 7:25 AM 0.3L 2:24 PM 0.4H 8:01 PM 0.4LMay 9 1:35 AM 0.4H 7:45 AM 0.4L 2:12 PM 0.4H 9:15 PM 0.3L

Moon PhasesLast

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FullApr. 29

NewMay 14 First

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Houston2014 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONApril-May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

San Antonio2014 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONApril-May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

Amarillo2014 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONApril-May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

Dallas2014 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONApril-May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

01 Sun 10:02 3:50 10:25 4:13 7:20 9:29 10:47a NoMoon02 Mon 10:53 4:41 11:15 5:04 7:20 9:29 11:40a 12:34a 03 Tue 11:42 5:31 ----- 5:53 7:20 9:30 12:33p 1:10a 04 Wed 12:04 6:18 12:28 6:39 7:19 9:30 1:26p 1:44a05 ThuQ 12:49 7:02 1:13 7:24 7:19 9:31 2:19p 2:17a 06 Fri 7:45 1:56 8:07 7:19 7:19 9:31 3:13p 2:50a 07 Sat 2:15 8:26 2:38 8:49 7:19 9:32 4:08p 3:23a08 Sun 2:56 9:08 3:20 9:32 7:19 9:32 5:06p 3:58a09 Mon 3:38 9:51 4:04 10:16 7:19 9:33 6:06p 4:36a10 Tue 4:23 10:37 4:50 11:04 7:18 9:33 7:08p 5:18a11 Wed >5:12 11:26 5:41 11:55 7:18 9:34 8:11p 6:05a12 Thu > 6:06 ----- 6:36 12:21 7:18 9:34 9:13p 6:58a13 Fri F 7:05 12:56 7:35 1:20 7:18 9:34 10:13p 7:56a14 Sat > 8:07 1:52 8:37 2:22 7:18 9:35 11:07p 8:59a

01Thu> 8:40 2:27 9:06 2:53 7:39 8:57 9:33a 11:29p02Fri 9:36 3:24 10:01 3:49 7:38 8:57 10:22aNoMoon03Sat 10:31 4:19 10:56 4:44 7:37 8:58 11:12a 12:19a04Sun 11:25 5:13 11:48 5:36 7:36 8:59 12:03p 1:05a05Mon ----- 6:03 12:15 6:26 7:35 8:59 12:55p 1:47a06TueQ 12:38 6:51 1:02 7:13 7:34 9:00 1:47p 2:26a07Wed 1:25 7:35 1:46 7:57 7:34 9:01 2:39p 3:03a08Thu 2:06 8:17 2:28 8:39 7:33 9:01 3:31p 3:37a09Fri 2:46 8:57 3:08 9:19 7:32 9:02 4:24p 4:12a10Sat 3:25 9:36 3:47 9:59 7:31 9:03 5:18p 4:46a11Sun 4:04 10:16 4:28 10:39 7:31 9:03 6:15p 5:22a12Mon> 4:46 10:59 5:11 11:23 7:30 9:04 7:13p 6:00a13Tue> 5:32 11:45 5:58 ----- 7:29 9:05 8:14p 6:41a14WedF 6:22 12:12 6:50 12:36 7:29 9:05 9:16p 7:27a

25Fri 3:55 10:07 4:20 10:33 7:57 9:05 5:28a 5:47p26Sat 4:39 10:52 5:05 11:18 7:56 9:06 6:08a 6:49p27Sun> 5:25 11:38 5:50 12:03 7:55 9:06 6:49a 7:50p28Mon> 6:13 ----- 6:38 12:51 7:54 9:07 7:30a 8:50p29TueN 7:04 ----- 7:29 12:42 7:53 9:08 8:14a 9:50p30Wed> 7:57 1:44 8:23 2:10 7:52 9:08 8:59a 10:47p01Thu> 8:53 2:40 9:18 3:05 7:52 9:09 9:46a 11:41p02Fri 9:49 3:36 10:14 4:01 7:51 9:09 10:35aNoMoon03Sat 10:44 4:32 11:08 4:56 7:50 9:10 11:26a 12:31a04Sun 11:37 5:25 ----- 5:49 7:49 9:11 12:17p 1:17a05Mon 12:03 6:16 12:27 6:39 7:48 9:11 1:09p 2:00a06TueQ 12:51 7:04 1:15 7:26 7:47 9:12 2:00p 2:39a07Wed 1:37 7:48 1:59 8:10 7:47 9:13 2:52p 3:15a08Thu 2:19 8:30 2:40 8:51 7:46 9:13 3:44p 3:50a09Fri 2:59 9:09 3:20 9:31 7:45 9:14 4:37p 4:24a10Sat 3:37 9:49 4:00 10:11 7:45 9:15 5:31p 4:59a11Sun 4:17 10:29 4:40 10:52 7:44 9:15 6:27p 5:35a12Mon> 4:59 11:11 5:23 11:36 7:43 9:16 7:26p 6:13a13Tue> 5:44 11:57 6:10 ----- 7:43 9:16 8:26p 6:55a14WedF 6:35 12:24 7:02 12:48 7:42 9:17 9:28p 7:40a

25Fri 4:08 10:21 4:34 10:46 8:03 9:26 5:43a 6:01p26Sat 4:53 11:06 5:18 11:31 8:01 9:27 6:21a 7:05p27Sun> 5:38 11:51 6:04 12:17 8:00 9:28 6:59a 8:09p28Mon> 6:26 ----- 6:52 13:05 7:59 9:28 7:38a 9:12p29TueN 7:17 ----- 7:43 13:56 7:58 9:29 8:19a 10:13p30Wed> 8:10 1:57 8:36 2:23 7:57 9:30 9:02a 11:12p01Thu> 9:06 2:53 9:32 3:19 7:56 9:31 9:49aNoMoon02Fri 10:02 3:49 10:27 4:15 7:55 9:32 10:37a 12:07a03Sat 10:57 4:45 11:22 5:09 7:54 9:33 11:28a 12:57a04Sun 11:50 5:39 ----- 6:02 7:53 9:33 12:20p 1:42a05Mon 12:17 6:29 12:41 6:52 7:52 9:34 1:13p 2:23a06TueQ 1:04 7:17 1:28 7:39 7:51 9:35 2:07p 3:01a07Wed 1:50 8:01 2:12 8:23 7:50 9:36 3:01p 3:35a08Thu 2:32 8:43 2:54 9:05 7:49 9:37 3:55p 4:08a09Fri 3:12 9:23 3:34 9:45 7:48 9:38 4:50p 4:40a10Sat 3:51 10:02 4:13 10:24 7:47 9:38 5:47p 5:12a11Sun 4:30 10:42 4:54 11:05 7:46 9:39 6:46p 5:46a12Mon> 5:12 11:24 5:37 11:49 7:46 9:40 7:46p 6:21a13Tue> 5:58 ----- 6:24 12:11 7:45 9:41 8:49p 7:01a14WedF 6:48 12:38 7:15 1:02 7:44 9:42 9:53p 7:44a

26Sat 4:27 10:40 4:52 11:05 7:43 8:54 5:56a 6:36p27Sun> 5:13 11:25 5:38 11:51 7:42 8:54 6:36a 7:37p28Mon> 6:00 ----- 6:26 12:39 7:41 8:55 7:17a 8:38p29TueN 6:51 ----- 7:17 13:30 7:40 8:56 8:00a 9:37p30Wed> 7:45 1:32 8:10 1:58 7:39 8:56 8:46a 10:35p

25Fri 3:48 10:01 4:13 10:26 7:46 9:03 5:22a 5:40p26Sat 4:33 10:45 4:58 11:11 7:45 9:03 6:01a 6:43p27Sun> 5:18 11:31 5:44 11:57 7:44 9:04 6:40a 7:46p28Mon> 6:06 ----- 6:32 12:45 7:43 9:05 7:20a 8:48p29TueN 6:57 ----- 7:23 13:36 7:42 9:06 8:02a 9:48p30Wed> 7:50 1:37 8:16 2:03 7:41 9:06 8:46a 10:46p

25Fri 3:42 9:55 4:08 10:20 7:44 8:53 5:16a 5:34p


PRODUCTSELITE 8 ROGUE: This suspending 4.5-inch jerk bait by Smithwick dives quicker and runs deeper than other

jerk baits of similar size, according to the company. The Elite 8’s dive is steep and deep: about 8-feet deep on 10-pound line. The jerk bait darts erratically when twitched and produces fl ashes and a unique

knocking sound. The Elite 8 comes in a dozen color patterns for both clear and murky water. Its MSRP is $7.99.

(800) 531-1201www.lurenet.com >>

knocking sound. The Elite 8 comes in a dozen color patterns for both clear and murky water. Its MSRP is $7.99.

(800) 531-1201www.lurenet.com

dives quicker and runs deeper than other jerk baits of similar size, according to the company. The Elite 8’s dive is steep and deep: about 8-feet

deep on 10-pound line. The jerk bait darts erratically when twitched and produces fl ashes and a unique knocking sound. The Elite 8 comes in a dozen color patterns for both clear and murky water. Its

MSRP is $7.99.

(800) 531-1201www.lurenet.com

RONNY FISHER VEST: Astral’s kayak fi shing-spe-cifi c vest promises the perfect fi t and com-

fort for kayak anglers. It offers such tech-nical features as the company’s Thin-Vent technology that ventilates in hot weather

while also being able to fully recline in the tallest of seats. The vest also has an abun-

dance of storage compartments to hold a stan-dard tackle box plus loads of gadgets and ac-

cessories. It includes refl ective accents for safety and a stowable rain hood. The durable and buoyant vest, available in green and charcoal, costs about

$160.

(828) 255-2638www.astraldesigns.com

>>

M4 SCIRRAKO: Alpha-TAC’s newest Ex-tremeBeam tactical fl ashlight is machined

from solid bar stock aluminum and illu-minated by a 230-lumen bulb that shines

ever so brightly, thanks to at the company’s Lumen technology. Utilizing a precision-engi-

neered refl ecting cone that captures nearly all of the light produced from the LED bulb, the result is a powerful tune-

focusable central beam with a light projection of more than 360 yards for seven hours (when on high). The 5.9-inch-long M4 Scirrako features a micro-textured body for increased grip even when wet, tri-cut glass for great-er durability, and an anti-glare stealth coating. The waterproof fl ashlight costs

about $60.

(877) 579-7878www.extremebeam.com

MONARCH 7 RIFLESCOPE: Nikon’s new fl agship Monarch 7 rifl escope features 30mm main body tube construc-

tion and dual bullet-drop compensation technologies for long-range shooting versatility. Built with the company’s Ul-tra ClearCoat optical system, the rifl escope provides hunters with fl at-sight pictures that are bright and sharp. The Mon-

arch 7 comes in two variants (a 2.5-10x50 SF and 4-16x50 SF), both with locking side focus. Each rifl escope has an XR

turret package along with a glass-etched BDC reticle, which provides hunters with the option to dial-in a particular distance on the crosshair

or to use the holdover points on the reticle. This new turret allows custom matching of the distances inscribed on the elevation dial to the specifi c

ballistics of virtually any cartridge, load and environmental conditions. The waterproof, fogproof and shockproof rifl escopes cost about $850 for the

2.5-10x50 SF model and about $1,000 for the 4-16x50 SF model.

(800) 645-6687nikonsportoptics.com>>

PINTAIL SUNGLASSES: Kaenon’s newest polarized sunglasses will appeal to bass fi shermen. Featuring the company’s proprietary SR-91 polarized lens-es, the sunglasses come in Tobacco, Graphite/Red and Black (shown with gray 12 lenses). The Pintails have lightweight frames and embedded note-pads for all-day comfort. Designed for small to medium faces, the sunglass-

es offer large lenses for big protection against the sun. These sunglasses, with their subtle sculpted details and pintail-shaped temple tips, cost about

$210 (prescription lenses will run higher).

(866) 523-6661www.kaenon.com

>>

>>

$1PER WORD2 issues minimum CLASSIFIED

Call: (214) 361-2276 or Email: [email protected]

CLASSIFIEDSSOUTH PADRE

FISHINGReds, Trout, Flounder, Snook. Everything sup-plied but food and licenses. Multiple trip discounts. Call Capt. Thomas for details or [email protected]. www.CustomSportsAnglers.com

(956) 551-1965

PERFECT DISTANCE TO GET AWAY 24 AC +/- EARLY TX

Pecan Bayou splits the acre-age. 9.5 ac of pecan trees. 3000 +/- sf house. Duck,

turkey, deer, dove, fi shing. Call Kyle. 806-983-3524

TROPHY WHITETAIL BUCK HUNTS

Intensive Management Program. Lodging included.

(940) 362-4219

TDHA - JOIN TODAYTEXAS DOVE HUNTERS ASSOC.www.texasdovehunters.com

(210) 764-1189

ARROWHEADS AND ARTIFACTS

I buy and sell authentic Texas artifacts. Please call Nick.

(210) 557-9478

SALES REP WANTED

Attraxx is looking for sport-ing enthusiasts who’ve never met a stranger in

their life and can also work well alone. If you fi t the

description, have two years of sales experience (pre-ferred) and can work in

multiple states or regions, send resume to [email protected].

UTAH, NEVADA HUNTING

Deer, Elk, Sheep, Mountain Lion, Antelope, Moose, Mountain Goat. Bow, Rifl e, Muzzloader. Guaranteed permits. Private & lim-ited draw hunting areas.

(435) 623-2744(435) 681-0560

RANCH FOR SALE BANDERA COUNTY

229.7 acres, Colorado-type setting - 3/2 cabin, 2 mobile units (3/2 w/

loft) - 1+ acre lake, spring fed pond, two water wells,

high-fenced whitetail, hogs, turkey, exotics. $1.35 million.

Schulgen Ranch Sales(830) 739-1865

Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, pub-lishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $2, in cer-tain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2014 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without writ-ten permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to [email protected].

Advertising: Call (214) 361-2276 or email [email protected] to request a media kit.

For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com • (214) 361-2276

Craig Nyhus

Conor Harrison

Mark England

Steven Schwartz

Mary Helen Aguirre

Mike Hughs

Ginger Hoolan

Bruce Soileau

Dave Irvine

David J. Sams

Executive EditorManaging EditorAssociate EditorGraphics EditorBusiness/Products EditorOperations ManagerAccountingWebsiteAutomotive AdvertisingFounder & CEO

ContributorsWilbur LundeenErich SchlegelDavid Sikes

Scott SommerlatteChuck UzzleRalph Winingham



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PURSUIT CHANNEL Fish PAANational Walleye TourLake CommandosBob Redfern Outdoor MagazineScott Martin ChallengeHank Parker Outdoor MagazineCabelas Fisherman HandbookFishing TexasLake CommandosBob Redfern Outdoor MagazineScott Martin ChallengeHank Parker Outdoor MagazineCabelas Fisherman Handbook

PURSUIT CHANNEL Fish PAADeer & Wildlife StoriesLong Range PursuitMan verses ElkGamekeepers of Mossy OakGet in the GameAvian XTomBob OutdoorsFlatlinersThe Hunting ShowThe High Road w/Keith WarrenThe HitmenTurkey Call

PURSUIT CHANNEL The High Road w/Keith WarrenBowhunting AddictionOutdoor Edges The Great OutdoorsTurkey CallBackland OutdoorsTrophy Time TVKT DiariesWhere in the World is Colorado BuckBig BoysTNT Outdoor ExplosionGamekeepers of Mossy OakCarnivoreAmerican Trigger Sports

PURSUIT CHANNEL National Bird Dog CircuitMake Ready TVTrigger TimeAmerican AirgunnerAmerican Trigger SportsFreedom Fighters - BlaineGoodloe - 3 Gun NationGoodloe - 3 Gun NationAmmo & AttitudeThe Right StuffFight NightFight NightFight Night

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SPORTSMAN CHANNELMeatEater-Hardest HuntsMeatEater-Hardest HuntsGuns & AmmoGuns & Gear TVHot ShotsPersonal Defense TVTAC TVGun Talk TVGuns & AmmoGuns & Gear TVHot ShotsPersonal Defense TVTAC TV SPORTSMAN CHANNEL MeatEater-Hardest HuntsMeatEater-Hardest HuntsRealtree’s Monster BucksMajor League BowhunterElite Archery’s Respect the Game TVWhitetail Properties Dreams to RealitySavage OutdoorsBrad Farris’ Game PlanRealtree’s Monster BucksMajor League BowhunterElite Archery’s Respect the Game TV

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MeatEater-Hardest HuntsMeatEater-Hardest HuntsNorth American WhitetailSkull Bound TVMathews Dominant BucksOutfi ttersrating TVWhitetail SLAMDreamPoint’s Extend Your Range TVNorth American WhitetailSkull Bound TVMathews Dominant BucksOutfi ttersrating TVWhitetail SLAM

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OUTDOOR CHANNELTrev Gowdy’s Monster FishThe Hunt for Big FishZona’s Awesome Fishing ShowBottom FeedersArrow Affl ictionAlaska Outdoors TelevisionGold Fever

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WORLD FISHING NETWORKAngler West TVThe Scott Martin ChallengeBreaking BoundarioesBass 2 Billfi shSkeeter’s Bass ChampsTimmy Horton OutdoorsKayak Bassin’ TVBigg Bass BattleSouth Bend’s LunkervilleCanadian Sportfi shingBreaking Boundaries Bass 2 Billfi sh

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Breaking Boundaries Breaking Boundaries

Season on the Edge

PURSUIT CHANNEL

Prime Time | April

Benelli sponsoring On the Road

Benelli has announced its new partnership with On The Road, the hit outdoor TV show featuring Aaron Lewis and Rock Bordelon.

Aaron Lewis, a Vermont native, nurtured his love and passion for the outdoors in the Vermont backwoods through his early hunting and fi shing experiences with his father and grandfather. Lewis, lead singer and founding member of the rock group, Staind, has recently ventured into country music with the 2011 release of his fi rst solo EP album, Town Line, which went gold with his hit “Country Boy.”

Co-hosting OTR with Lewis is Rock Bordelon, a Louisianan who grew up on the bayou in a small parish hunting ducks, squirrel, rab-bits and deer. Bordelon used every method imaginable from bows to shotguns and rifl es to hunt, stalk and take game throughout his native Louisiana. Bordelon currently owns an ATV Park and Carey Lake Ranch in Jacksonville, Texas, where he continues to pursue his passion for hunting and fi shing and enjoyment of the outdoors.

OTR follows the hard-work-ing, day-to-day lives of Lewis and Bordelon as they keep busy schedules, but allocate their time off to enjoying the great outdoors. Watch as they travel to many different parts of the world, pursuing the hunting and fi shing offered in remote and exciting locales. OTR airs Sat. at 9:30 p.m., Sun. at 12:30 a.m., and Thurs. at 10:30 a.m., (CST) on Sportsman Channel.

“We believe in the prod-ucts of our partner sponsors and stand behind them every step of the way,” said Lewis. “We’re proud to be associ-ated with great companies like Benelli and to be able to rely on their guns in tough and rugged situations. Time is valuable, we can’t afford to use products that fail.”

— Benelli


SalviniaContinued from Page 9

able to fi sh in the past fi ve years.”

Deaver said the bass are on beds and he has been catch-ing good numbers targeting spawning fl ats and stump in less than 5 feet of water.

“They’re right up shallow,” he said. “It has been a late spawn this year but they are at it right now. We have caught a few postspawn fi sh, but most have not spawned yet.”

The salvinia issue is one anglers are glad to see gone for now.

“The winter was a tough one on Caddo,” said Lucas Gregory, project specialist at Texas A&M University’s Water Resource Institute. “The cold did a pretty good number on the salvinia. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback that it is much reduced from what it was last

summer.”More than 7,000 acres of

water was covered by the inva-sive plant last summer, but early estimates this year put it at a little less than 1,000 acres currently.

“Along with the winter, high water pushed it down the river,” Gregory said. “That said, it was the same scenario three winters ago, then two summers later, it was back over 6,000 acres.”

Gregory has distributed weevils to eat the plant and keep it under control, although the cold weather that killed the salvinia also killed many of the weevils.

“We were still fi nding some alive in January,” he said, “but in February we didn’t fi nd any alive. We hope to have another batch ready to go in mid-May. At the end of last year, the weevils were really knocking out some complete areas of salvinia, so were are pretty encouraged.”

Local tournament trails bring in large bags

It’s tough to look at a bass fi shing tournament leaderboard in North Texas this year and not see Todd Castledine or Russell Cecil near the top.

The pair did it again at the Bud Light Tournament Trail on Lake Texoma on April 19.

Catching fi ve bass for a total weight of 27.55 pounds, the duo took home the top prize of $2,600.

Robert Brooks and Hollie Carrerra took second place with 25.91 pounds. The top seven teams all had sacks weighing more than 20 pounds.

It took 18.82 pounds to place in the money. Fifty-one teams fi shed the event.

Bass Champs on Belton

Thornton angler Charles Reagan and his partner, Hewitt angler Lowell Bennet caught three bass for a total of 12.62 pounds to win a new truck and

take home the title on Belton Lake on April 12.

Josh Cowie and Malcolm Kitchen, both from New Braunfels, took second place and won $4,200.

More than 160 anglers competed in the tournament. The big bass was caught by the team of Brian Holmes and Paul Reynolds Jr — it weighed 7.45 pounds.

Photo by Bud Light Trail

Project estab-lishes first-ever genome assembly of bobwhite quail

In their pursuit to unlock the mystery of bobwhite quail decline in Texas, Park Cities Quail pro-vided funding for a study of the bobwhite quail genome.

The project, which began in 2011 with the harvesting of a wild bobwhite quail test subject from the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Roby, has been completed, and the work has been published in the cur-rent issue of the scientific journal PLOS ONE.

The genetic mapping of this wild bobwhite quail, named Pattie-Marie, could prove to be instrumental in helping research-ers understand historic and future bobwhite population trends.

“This is an important piece of the puzzle. It is our hope that this once humble bird will pro-vide the foundation for thousands of hours of independent research by scientists all over the world,” said Joe Crafton, who also helped fund the study. “This is a clas-sic example of hunters funding the research that will eventually result in population growth of key wildlife species.”

“By sequencing and assem-bling the bobwhite quail genome, the team produced the most comprehensive resource cur-rently available for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in the bobwhite,” said Dr. Chris Seabury of Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine, who led the study. “We now have a more for-mal resource for studying the bird and identifying new, or perhaps even more specific reasons for its serious decline.”

The bobwhite quail was recently named first on the “Top Ten Birds in Decline” in North America by the Audubon Society. With a population crash from 31 million in 1967, to only 5.5 mil-lion in 2007, the bobwhite quail has experienced an 80 percent decline over the past 40 years. With this groundbreaking research on the bobwhite quail genome, it is hoped that researchers can identify genetic factors that may play a role in their decline, and perhaps even quail “lineages” with higher resistance to disease and environmental stresses.

— Park Cities Quail


DATEBOOK

LONE STAR MARKET

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or email him at [email protected].

APRIL 25-26Taxidermy KingWorld Class Big Game Trophy Mount and AuctionWill Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth(512) 451-7633Txidermyking.com

APRIL 26Ducks UnlimitedWinnie DinnerWinnie-Stowell Com-munity Building(409) 267-7116ducks.org/texas

Coastal Conservation AssociationRedfi sh Bay Chapter Annual Ban-quetPort Aransas Civic Center(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Kimble County Chamber of CommerceOutdoor Women Gone Wild(325) 446-3190junctiontexas.com

Bass ChampsSouth Series, Fal-con Lake(817) 439-3274basschamps.com

APRIL 30Ducks UnlimitedWest Houston DinnerChateau Crystale Ballroom(713) 966-0884

MAY 1Coastal Conservation AssociationCentral Houston Chapter Annual BanquetBayou City Event Center(713) 626-4222

Coastal Conservation AssociationSan Antonio Chapter Annual Ban-quetFreeman Coliseum Expo Hall(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Coastal Conservation AssociationFort Worth Chapter Annual BanquetJoe T. Garcia’s(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Ducks UnlimitedThe Woodlands Crawfi sh boilRob Fleming Park(281) 636-4883ducks.org/texas

Ducks UnlimitedKaty-Brookshire Patos de Mayo Crawfi sh BoilThe Cotton Ranch, Katy(713) 858-7669ducks.org/texas

National Wild Turkey FederationCottonwood Creek BanquetStonebriar Country Club, Frisco(972) 473-9190nwtf.org/Texas

MAY 1-4Bassmaster Elite SeriesToledo Bend Tournamantbassmaster.com

MAY 2Coastal Conservation AssociationMainland Chapter Annual BanquetNessler Center, Texas City(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Coastal Conservation AssociationTexas A&M Chapter Annual BanquetBrazos Center, Bryan(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

MAY 3Ducks UnlimitedGulf Coast Greenwing Conservation DayDewberry Farms, Brookshire(713) 501-5584ducks.org/texas

Texas Team TrailLake Livingston Tournament(210) 788-4143texasteamtrail.com

Bass ChampsEast Series, Sam Rayburn Reservoir(817) 439-3274basschamps.com

Meals on WheelsErath County Annual Sporting Clay ShootRough Creek Lodge, Glen Rose(254) 965-3510erathmow.org

Dallas Safari ClubSpring S.A.F.E.T.Y. EventGreystone Castle(972) 980-9800biggame.org

MAY 8Coastal Conservation AssociationAustin Chapter Annual BanquetPalmer Event Center(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Coastal Conservation AssociationMid Coast Chapter Annual BanquetVictoria Community Center(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Houston Safari ClubSporting Clays TournamentWestside Sporting Grounds(713) 623-8844houstonsafariclub.org

MAY 9National Wild Turkey FederationCorpus Christi BanquetRichard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds(361) 331-1227nwtf.org/Texas

Coastal Conservation AssociationGolden Triangle Chapter Annual BanquetBeaumont Civic Center(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Coastal Conservation AssociationWest Houston Chapter Annual BanquetHouston Farm/Ranch Club(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

Dallas Safari ClubMonthly MeetingBent Tree Country Club(972) 980-9800biggame.org

MAY 10Ducks UnlimitedDripping Springs BanquetHog Heaven(512) 496-8333

Bass ChampsNorth Series, Cedar Creek Lake(817) 439-3274basschamps.com

Dallas Safari ClubBig Bore ShootTrinity Outfi tters, Ennis(972) 980-9800biggame.org

MAY 14Ducks UnlimitedHouston DinnerThe River Oaks Country Club(713) 775-0423ducks.org/texas

MAY 15Ducks UnlimitedComal County DinnerNew Braunfels Civic Center(830) 609-8172ducks.org/texas

(713) 858-7669ducks.org/texas

National Wild Turkey Federation


Puzzle solution from Page 21White bassContinued from Page 8

Lake Lewisville, has especially been impacted by the drought.

“The north end of Lake Lewisville is its own pond,” Blackerby said. “There was no way for them (the white bass) to get up there. That’s the first time I have ever seen that.”

For the areas that are still producing, like Pecan Creek, he said anglers are having luck with jigs, rooster tails and road runners, and anything with a silver or white color — such as small spoons.

Even farther north, on Lake Texoma, conditions have frus-trated guide Jon Cornett.

“Our lake levels are down and the sand bass can’t get into the creeks to spawn,” Cornett said. “Nothing is running for them to spawn in.”

The white bass he has picked up with clients in the main lake

have been spawning, Cornett said, and some have been carry-ing eggs, as well. He said things are just starting to pick up in his area, just as things are begin-ning to slow down in the south.

“This is our March right now,” he said.

And if that weren’t confusing enough, Henry Niemiec with Surestrike Guide Service on Stillhouse Hollow Lake said it is prime white bass fishing now.

“Right now the white bass are going crazy,” he said. “If you want to catch them now is the time to be on the water. It’s 30-plus (fish) days of little-to-no effort.”

He said clients are bringing in dozens of fish on lipless crank-baits and top-water lures.

Water temperatures are in the mid-60s and the bass are mov-ing toward shad into shallow coves.

Henry Niemiec, 254-368-0294Jon Cornett, 888-763-3360Larry Thomas, 940-229-0288

SnapperContinued from Page 1

son and the supplemental sea-son in the fall, after they tweaked the formula, it raised the recre-ational poundage by 30 percent,” said Robin Reichers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s head of Coastal Fisheries. “The court ruled the new, better data was being ignored. The part that is frustrat-ing is the science doesn’t seem to match up with what everyone is seeing.

“It is terribly frustrating.”Federal stock assessments for red

snapper only occur every fi ve years, and a new assessment is scheduled for December 2014.

Reichers said if the data shows the recreational sector again going over its allotted poundage, next year’s snapper season could be even more limited.

“Payback penalties could be coming,” he said.

While recreational anglers are up in arms, commercial anglers are happy with the ruling, saying the recreational sector has had little accountability for years.

“The last seven years, the recre-ational fi shery has overharvested their quota by 50 percent some years and last year by over 100 per-cent,” said Buddy Guindon, owner of Katie’s Seafood in Galveston and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. “The way they count fi sh is misun-derstood and not very accurate. We didn’t ask for anything ourselves, only to force NOAA to do their job and manage the fi shery properly.”

Guindon said the unforeseen consequences of the lawsuit were the states “going rogue” and not abiding by any federal law or guide-lines in the management of red snapper in state waters.

“The charter boats and guides will be severely damaged by the decision of the states to not abide by federal law,” he said.

Guindon said the fi shery is still recovering, and, by all accounts, is doing better than anyone imag-ined. He said commercial anglers have no trouble fi lling their quota.

“Our red snapper fi shery is doing fabulous,” he said. “They are get-ting bigger and expanding their range. If they would implement proper management, it could be a year-round fi shery. If the states would comply, we would have a much longer season.”

Guindon said while the fi shery is doing great, it still has a ways to go to fully recover.

“We aren’t there yet,” he said. “We don’t have the older age classes of spawners like we need. The faster we get there, the faster we’ll have more days to fi sh. Most recreational anglers are great peo-ple, but some people make their living and this is about a shared resource.

“We are just trying to get the feds to bring some accountability to the recreational sector.”

REALLY A SHORTAGE? Anglers are frus-trated because they keep hearing how the red snapper fi shery needs tighter control, although they have no issues catching them. Photo by Conor Har-rison, Lone Star Outdoor News.


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April 25, 2014 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting